Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran roiled global markets on 19 April, encouraging traders to dump risky assets and buy safe-haven currencies.

Stock markets across Asia dropped after early reports of explosions in Iran, which a person briefed on the matter later confirmed came after an Israeli strike. Japan’s Nikkei 225 led losses with a 2.4% decline by midday, but the fall was widespread: Major stock indexes in Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan were also down more than 1%. US futures fell.