Iran launches missiles again! Israel's latest statement! Asia-Pacific stock markets rally collectively!

Asia-Pacific stock markets continue to rebound!

Today (March 11), the Korean and Japanese stock markets opened higher and continued to rise. As of 8:15 AM, South Korea’s KOSPI index was up over 3%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was up more than 2%. Additionally, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 increased by 0.71%.

South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho stated that if necessary, the government will further expand the existing market stabilization plan, which exceeds 100 trillion won.

Regarding international oil prices, WTI crude oil futures turned lower intraday, currently down over 1%, after initially rising more than 6%. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reportedly proposed releasing over 182 million barrels of oil reserves, marking the largest strategic oil reserve release in history.

Latest updates on Iran situation: According to Xinhua News Agency, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on the 10th said Israel does not seek “endless war” with Iran and will coordinate with the U.S. at the appropriate time to decide when to end military operations against Iran.

In the early hours of the 11th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the implementation of the 37th round of “Real Commitment 4” military operations, using missiles to strike targets including U.S. military bases in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, the U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Tel Aviv in Israel.

Korean Stock Market Rebounds Significantly

Korean stocks continued to rise today, with the KOSPI opening up 2.3%. By 8:15 AM, the gain had expanded to over 3%. Individual stocks saw notable increases: Mirae Asset Securities rose over 10%, Samsung Life, Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings up over 7%, Hyundai Motor, Korea Electric Power up over 5%, Samsung Electronics nearly 3%, and SK Hynix over 2%.

On March 11, South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said at a meeting that the government will utilize all available policy tools, including supplementary budgets, to minimize the impact of Middle East conflicts on the Korean economy. While closely monitoring international oil prices, the government will consider reducing fuel taxes. If any signs of economic instability appear, the government will act swiftly and decisively. If necessary, Korea will further expand the existing market stabilization plan exceeding 100 trillion won, and coordinate with the central bank to implement timely market stabilization measures, including emergency repurchases and direct bond purchases.

The day before, Choo Kyung-ho indicated in a cabinet meeting that if needed, the government would actively consider additional budgets to directly support citizens affected by rising oil prices.

Choo Kyung-ho also said that the foreign exchange authorities will respond to exchange rate fluctuations as needed, and the central bank will address any instability in the bond market. Thanks to strong performance in stock-related taxes and the semiconductor industry, fiscal revenue exceeded expectations, making it possible to implement a supplementary budget without issuing new bonds.

Additionally, a Korean official stated on Tuesday that amid escalating Middle East conflicts, the ruling Democratic Party and government officials are considering exercising priority purchase rights to buy oil reserves from foreign refineries stored within Korea, ensuring an increase of over 6 million barrels of oil supply.

Latest Iran Situation

According to CCTV News, in the early hours of the 11th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the 37th round of “Real Commitment 4” military operations, using missiles to strike targets including U.S. military bases in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, the U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Tel Aviv in Israel.

Iranian Vice President Houssein Zadeh told media on the 10th that Iran will continue to defend its territorial integrity as a “legitimate right and duty.” He also emphasized that Iran seeks to resolve crises through dialogue and is not targeting neighboring countries with attacks.

Zadeh mentioned that President Ebrahim Raisi has repeatedly stressed the importance of resolving current issues through negotiations, and Iran’s diplomatic department has developed multiple response plans. He stated that Iran has never invaded any country and always seeks peaceful solutions through dialogue.

On the same day, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran “absolutely does not seek a ceasefire” and must resolutely respond to “aggressors.” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gharib Abadi stated that Iran’s current priority is “decisive defense,” and “the cessation of war is in Iran’s hands.”

On the 10th, U.S. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the U.S. military is progressing “beyond expectations” in the “Epic Fire” operation against Iran. The military action will continue until President Trump determines that the set military objectives have been fully achieved.

Jean-Pierre explained that Trump’s call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” means Iran no longer poses a credible threat to the U.S. and its allies, especially with its ballistic missile systems and nuclear weapons development capabilities being thoroughly weakened.

She also mentioned that the U.S. government has recently temporarily allowed India to receive some Russian oil to address the short-term global oil supply gap caused by the Iran situation.

Israeli Foreign Minister Says Not Seeking “Endless War”

According to Xinhua News Agency, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on the 10th said Israel does not seek “endless war” with Iran and will coordinate with the U.S. at the appropriate time to decide when to end military operations against Iran.

Lapid made this statement during a joint press conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Jerusalem.

He did not specify a timeline for current military actions. He emphasized that Israel will continue military operations until it and its partners believe it is “appropriate to stop.”

Lapid claimed that Israel’s goal is to “eliminate the existential threat posed by Iran to Israel in the long term,” but achieving this under the current Iranian regime is difficult. He suggested that regime change in Iran “may occur after military operations end,” and that current military actions aim to create conditions for regime change.

On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military strike against Iran, which responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. military bases and targets in the Middle East.

According to CCTV News, on the 10th, an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson announced that the IDF has launched a new round of large-scale strikes in Tehran targeting Iranian regime infrastructure.

The IDF stated that the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes on multiple military and security command centers in Tehran and Mashhad. Targets included the Iranian Special Forces headquarters, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities, the headquarters of units responsible for ballistic missile operations, the Iranian Security Police headquarters, and Basij militia facilities. The IDF said that at the time of the strikes, personnel were active at these locations.