Asian Stock Markets Open Mixed After Trump Rejects Latest Iranian Peace Proposal

Asian-Pacific stock markets were volatile at the opening of trading today, Monday, 11 May 2026. South Korea’s Kospi index led the gains, reaching a new all-time high (ATH). Citing CNBC International, the Kospi index surged 3.67% to a new record at the morning market open. The Kosdaq index, comprising small-cap stocks, was observed to rise slightly. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index strengthened by 0.81%. The Topix index increased by 0.32%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index weakened by 0.71%. Similarly, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures contract fell to 26,393.71 from the previous level of 26,250. Investors remain cautious after US President Donald Trump rejected the latest peace proposal submitted by Iran to end the war. Iran’s semi-official news agency, Tasnim, reported the counter-offer calling for an end to the war on all fronts and the lifting of US sanctions against Tehran. “ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump firmly rejected in a post on Truth Social. On Sunday, 10 May 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that the war with Iran has not ended because the US and Israel are still working to curb the Middle Eastern country’s nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu’s response came ahead of Trump’s visit to China to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping this weekend.