Oil Prices Rise, Asian Equities Fall Amid Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions NI225 Oil prices rose and Asian equities fell in early trade Thursday as escalating U.S.-Iran tensions exacerbated fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East and spooked investors into taking funds out of stock markets. The U.S. launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran Wednesday, conducting strikes against multiple targets on President Trump's orders, the American military said.