{"id":60228,"date":"2026-03-26T21:38:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T01:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-shaken-by-israeli-strikes-on-tehran-and-chinas-rare-earth-export-ban\/60228\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T21:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T01:38:20","slug":"global-markets-shaken-by-israeli-strikes-on-tehran-and-chinas-rare-earth-export-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-shaken-by-israeli-strikes-on-tehran-and-chinas-rare-earth-export-ban\/60228\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Markets Shaken by Israeli Strikes on Tehran and China\u2019s Rare-Earth Export Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Israel conducts multiple strikes across Tehran<\/strong>, triggering a regional defense response as the <strong>UAE and Kuwait intercept incoming drones and missiles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Asian equity markets tumble<\/strong>, with the <strong>Nikkei 225 (<a href=\"\/stock\/%5EN225\">^N225<\/a>) falling 1.0%<\/strong> and <strong>Taiwanese shares sliding over 2%<\/strong> amid heightening geopolitical risks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Oil prices decline<\/strong> despite the conflict, as reports surface that <strong>U.S. President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> is pausing potential strikes on Iran\u2019s energy sector<\/strong> to prevent a global supply shock.<\/li>\n<li><strong>China imposes new export clamps on rare-earth elements<\/strong>, causing <strong>Australian rare-earth stocks<\/strong> to surge as Western markets scramble for alternative supplies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SpaceX is reportedly preparing for a record-breaking stock-market debut<\/strong>, with Elon Musk planning what is expected to be the <strong>largest IPO in history<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Middle East Conflict Escalates as Israel Strikes Tehran<\/h2>\n<p>Geopolitical tensions reached a breaking point on Friday as the <strong>Israeli Army confirmed multiple attacks across Tehran<\/strong>. Iranian media reported echoes of explosions east of the capital, while regional spillover was immediate. <strong>UAE air defenses<\/strong> engaged missile threats over Sharjah, and <strong>Kuwaiti forces<\/strong> successfully intercepted two drones.<\/p>\n<p>In the U.S., <strong>House Speaker Mike Johnson<\/strong> stated that Washington hopes for a resolution without further military action, relying on troop deployments to pressure Tehran. However, <strong>CNN reports<\/strong> indicate that <strong>President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a><\/strong> is considering significant military escalation should diplomatic talks break down completely.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong> remains a critical flashpoint, with <strong>South Korea\u2019s JCS chief<\/strong> joining France-led multinational security talks. A potential shutdown of the waterway has already raised alarms regarding <strong>Japan\u2019s aluminum supply<\/strong> and global energy stability.<\/p>\n<h2>Markets React: Nikkei and Taiwan Shares Slide<\/h2>\n<p>Asian markets bore the brunt of the uncertainty, with the <strong>Nikkei 225 (<a href=\"\/stock\/%5EN225\">^N225<\/a>) dropping 1.0%<\/strong>, led by losses in machinery and electronics. The broader <strong>TOPIX index (<a href=\"\/stock\/%5ETOPX\">^TOPX<\/a>)<\/strong> similarly declined <strong>1.0% to 3,606.14<\/strong>. In Taipei, the <strong>TAIEX (<a href=\"\/stock\/%5ETWII\">^TWII<\/a>)<\/strong> fell more than <strong>2%<\/strong> as investors fled riskier assets.<\/p>\n<p>Currency markets saw significant volatility, with the <strong>Australian Dollar (AUD)<\/strong> hitting a two-month low of <strong>$0.68722<\/strong>. <strong>Japan\u2019s Finance Minister Katayama<\/strong> warned that oil-price swings are fueling speculative activity and announced plans for an <strong>online G7 finance ministers meeting<\/strong> to address foreign exchange instability.<\/p>\n<h2>China Clamps Down on Rare Earths; SpaceX IPO Looms<\/h2>\n<p>In a major shift for the commodities sector, <strong>China has tightened export controls on rare-earth elements<\/strong>. This move sent <strong>Australian rare-earth stocks<\/strong>, such as <strong>Lynas Rare Earths (<a href=\"\/stock\/LYC\">LYC<\/a>)<\/strong>, soaring as buyers seek non-Chinese sources. The move is seen as a strategic counter-measure amid ongoing trade and geopolitical friction.<\/p>\n<p>In the corporate world, <strong>Elon Musk<\/strong> is reportedly finalizing plans for a <strong>SpaceX IPO<\/strong>. According to the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>, the debut is expected to be the <strong>largest in stock market history<\/strong>, potentially providing a massive liquidity event for the aerospace sector.<\/p>\n<h2>Energy and Currency Midpoints<\/h2>\n<p>Despite the strikes in Iran, <strong>crude oil prices fell<\/strong> following news that the U.S. administration would avoid targeting Iran\u2019s energy infrastructure for now. To combat rising domestic costs, <strong>Vietnam suspended taxes on fuels<\/strong>, including gasoline and jet fuel, until April 15.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>People\u2019s Bank of China (PBOC)<\/strong> signaled currency weakness by setting the <strong>yuan\u2019s daily midpoint at 6.9141 per dollar<\/strong>, its weakest level since early March. The yuan opened at <strong>6.9150\/USD<\/strong>, slightly lower than its previous close, as the central bank manages the currency&#39;s depreciation amid regional market turmoil.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Israel conducts multiple strikes across Tehran, triggering a regional defense response as the UAE and Kuwait intercept incoming 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