Asia markets put behind US-Iran tension

THE US airstrike on Jan 3 that killed prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani made the relationship between Teheran and Washington the focal point of market chatter going into the week.

But by Friday, Asian equities were mostly higher after both sides appeared to have settled the score (not before Iran returned the favour by attacking two US bases, of course).

The local Straits Times Index (STI) made steady gains across the session to finish at 3,255.95, adding 8.47 points or 0.3 per cent. On the week, it gained 17.13 points or 0.5 per cent from Jan 3's close of 3,238.82.