Tokyo stocks rallied sharply in Thursday trading, pushing the Nikkei index up by over 3%, after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that a deal with Iran was in its final stages, fueling hopes for a resolution to the Middle East conflict.
The rally reflected investor optimism over positive signals from the Middle East, where tensions have escalated recently. Trump's statement that a deal with Iran was in its 'final stages' was seen as a key factor driving the upswing.
The Nikkei, the main benchmark for the Tokyo stock market, recorded a gain of more than 3% during the session, signaling broad positive sentiment across the market. Analysts suggested that if Middle East tensions ease, investment flows could return to Asia, particularly to Japan.
The announcement came as global markets closely tracked developments in the Middle East, where peace negotiations have made significant progress. Investors hope a deal will help stabilize oil prices and reduce global economic uncertainty.