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Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower Friday, after all three major Wall Street indexes declined overnight pressured by a drop in private credit stocks and Iran-U.S. tensions.
Prospects of a strike on Iran have risen with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that he would take a call decide on military action on Tehran in the next 10 days.
Oil prices jumped in reaction to that news, with U.S. crude rising $1.24, or 1.9%, to close at $66.43 per barrel in U.S. trading. Global benchmark Brent gained $1.31, or 1.86%, to settle at $71.66.
Over in Asia, traders will assess inflation data out from Japan, with headline inflation for January dipping below the Bank of Japan 2% target for the first time in 45 months.
