{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1626529,
        "msgid": "iran-bombs-qatars-funding-source-asian-stock-markets-mixed-investors-confused-1773993083",
        "date": "2026-03-20 14:10:00",
        "title": "Iran Bombs Qatar's Funding Source, Asian Stock Markets Mixed, Investors Confused",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNBC",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "Escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iran's attack on the world's largest gas field in Qatar, have led to mixed performances across Asian stock markets, with Japan's Nikkei suffering the steepest decline. Energy supply disruptions are driving up gas and petrol prices while oil prices dip, heightening investor uncertainty amid fears of prolonged regional conflict. Saudi Arabia warns that oil prices could surge beyond $180 per barrel if supply issues persist until late April, underscoring the global economic ripple effects.",
        "content": "<p>Asian stock markets moved in varied directions overshadowed by\nsentiment from escalating Middle East conflict. Geopolitical tensions in\nthe region and energy supply disruptions continue to unsettle investors.\nGlobal sentiment leaning negative prompted selling actions in several\nmajor exchanges. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index recorded the sharpest\ndecline in the region, plummeting 1,866.87 points or 3.38% to 53,372.53.\nMeanwhile, China\u2019s markets showed mixed results. The Shanghai Composite\nIndex dipped slightly by 8.431 points or 0.21% to 3,998.121. In\ncontrast, the Shenzhen Component Index strengthened by 170.348 points or\n1.23% to 14,071.915. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index also fell into\nthe red, down 156.97 points or 0.62% to 25,343.61. This pressure\nreflects investor concerns over regional economic prospects. From\nAustralia, the S&amp;P\/ASX 200 weakened by 58.60 points or 0.69% to\n8,439.20. This decline aligns with weakening commodities and global\nsentiment. Unlike the majority of markets, South Korea recorded a gain.\nThe KOSPI index rose slightly by 5.08 points or 0.09% to 5,768.30,\nsupported by large-cap stocks. Citing CNBC International, Iran attacked\nthe world\u2019s largest gas plant in Qatar on Thursday, causing damage to\nenergy supplies for several years ahead. This was in retaliation for\nIsrael\u2019s attack on its South Pars gas field. QatarEnergy CEO Saad\nal-Kaabi stated that the Iranian attack has destroyed 17% of the\ncountry\u2019s LNG export capacity for the next 3-5 years. Retaliatory\nstrikes on major oil and gas infrastructure across the Middle East have\ncaused energy prices to surge. US natural gas prices last rose 1.5%,\ntrading at US$3.112 per million British thermal units. Meanwhile,\nnext-month RBOB petrol contracts on Nymex for April delivery rose nearly\n1% to US$3.13, reaching a near four-year high. Oil prices fell as Brent\ncrude futures, the international benchmark, declined 2% to US$106.45 per\nbarrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures dropped 1.56% to\nUS$94.64. Saudi Arabia, one of the world\u2019s largest oil producers,\nestimates prices could surge beyond US$180 per barrel if supply\ndisruptions continue until the end of April. The market impact of this\nregional war has also spread to metals, with gold and silver each\nfalling around 5% and 10% before trimming losses.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iran-bombs-qatars-funding-source-asian-stock-markets-mixed-investors-confused-1773993083",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}