Asian stock markets are trading mixed today, March 3, amid the US-Israel-Iran war. Indian stock markets are closed today for Holi.

South Korea's Kospi is trading 7% lower at 5,800.
Japan's Nikkei index is trading 3% lower at 56,300.
China's Shanghai Composite is trading 1.50% lower at 4,100.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading 1% lower at 25,750.
Pakistan's KSE 30 index is up 1.50% at 47,000.
Crude oil surges 13% in two days

Brent crude oil prices have surged more than 3% today, crossing $80 per barrel. Yesterday, it rose 10%. This means it has risen more than 13% in two days.

Experts believe that if this tension escalates further, oil prices could reach $120 per barrel. This could impact petrol and diesel prices in India.

In Delhi, petrol prices could rise from ₹95 per liter to ₹100. Diesel prices could rise from ₹88 to ₹92. Similar price increases are possible in other cities.

Mixed trading in the US market on March 2nd

The Nasdaq Composite, a tech-based index, rose 0.36% to close at 22,74.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 73 points (0.15%) to close at 48,904.
The S&P 500 index rose 2 points (0.04%) to close at 6,881.
The Sensex closed down 1048 points yesterday.

The Indian stock market fell yesterday, March 2nd, due to the US-Israel and Iran wars. The Sensex fell 1,048 points (1.29%) to close at 80,239. The Nifty also fell 313 points (1.24%) to 24,866.

Foreign investors sold shares worth ₹3,295 crore on March 2.

Foreign investors (FIIs) sold shares worth ₹3,295 crore on March 2. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth ₹8,593 crore.
In February, FIIs bought shares worth ₹11,002 crore. During this period, DIIs bought shares worth ₹17,324 crore.
In January 2026, FIIs sold shares worth ₹41,435 crore. During this period, DIIs bought shares worth ₹69,220 crore.
Pakistan's stock market plunged 9.8%

Pakistan's stock market experienced a significant decline on March 2. The KSE-30 index fell 4,996 points (9.73%) to close at 46,326. Heavy selling earlier forced a 45-minute trading halt, a lower circuit.

Today is the fourth day of the Israel-Iran war. For the fourth consecutive day, more than 80 international flights have been cancelled at Delhi airport. However, this morning, Air India flight AI916D landed in Delhi with 149 passengers and 8 cabin crew. Indian shuttler PV Sindhu, who was stranded in Dubai, also returned.

In addition, three Emirates flights landed from Dubai late Monday night: EK500 from Dubai to Mumbai, EK526 from Dubai to Hyderabad, EK568 from Dubai to Bengaluru, and EK542 from Dubai to Chennai, carrying 217 passengers and crew. A flight from Abu Dhabi also landed in Delhi.

IndiGo is also operating 10 special flights today from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

Air India Express is resuming flights to Muscat. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, Dubai-based Emirates, and flydubai have resumed select flights. Fifteen Etihad flights departed from Abu Dhabi Airport for Islamabad, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Cairo, and London.

Protests continue in India over the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei. The Shia community is staging protests. Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir remained shut for the second consecutive day today. The Indian government has instructed all states to remain alert for inflammatory speeches.

A Dutch tourist stranded in Tel Aviv, Israel, said, "We have a tent with some blankets and cushions. I came here for a vacation with my husband and two children. We were supposed to leave on March 1st. But now flights are not operating. We will have to stay here until flights resume."

A passenger arriving at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport from Dubai said, "The situation there is quite normal, there is not much tension. But flight cancellations and other reasons are having an economic impact on people. Staying there is very expensive. Air India provided us with complete guidance." The government there is also providing full support.

All flights from Coimbatore International Airport in Tamil Nadu to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have also been cancelled.

Airport Director Mohammed Arif stated that IndiGo operates four flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday) from Coimbatore to Abu Dhabi, while Air Arabia operates five flights a week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) to Sharjah. Flights have been affected since the airspace was closed on Saturday afternoon.

He said that the morning flight to Sharjah operated on Saturday, but the flight to Abu Dhabi was cancelled. Both flights were cancelled on Sunday.

On Monday, only the Sharjah flight was scheduled, which was cancelled. Both Abu Dhabi (IndiGo) and Sharjah (Air Arabia) flights were cancelled on Tuesday.

Over 760 international flights have been cancelled in India over the past two days due to the Israel-Iran war. Even today, 87 flights were cancelled at Delhi Airport. Thousands of passengers are stranded at Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad International Airports.

In light of the current situation in the Middle East, the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi has been closed to visitors until March 9th. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the Israel-Iran war today. After meeting with Canadian PM Mark Carney in Delhi, Modi said,

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The situation in West Asia is worrying. India will work with all countries to ensure the safety of its citizens. We are in favor of resolving the issue through dialogue.

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Meanwhile, protests erupted in Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei. Security forces lathi-charged and used tear gas against protesters in the Bemina area of ​​Srinagar. Some people were detained. Markets were closed in Shopian, Baramulla, and Bandipora.

Violent protests and demonstrations in Pakistan

In addition to India, protests against Khamenei's death are continuing in Pakistan as well. Protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) turned violent this morning.

Protesters in Gilgit-Baltistan set fire to the United Nations office. In Skardu, the Superintendent of Police's office and several government buildings were burned. Seven protesters were killed and more than 12 injured in firing by security forces.

Earlier on Sunday, protests against Khamenei's death erupted at the US Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. Shots were fired from inside the consulate against intruding protesters. So far, 23 people have died and more than 10 are injured.

10,000 Indians in Iran

Around 10,000 Indian citizens live, study, and work in Iran. While more than 40,000 live in Israel, there are approximately 9 million Indians in the Gulf and West Asia.

Indian Embassies in Middle East Countries Issue Advisory

Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Ambassador Parmita Tripathi, held a virtual interaction with approximately 100 prominent members of the Indian community and heads of Indian associations in Kuwait.

Indian embassies in Kuwait, Austria, Oman, and Lebanon have also issued advisories for Indians stranded there.

Security Tightened in the Capital Delhi Following Protests

Security has been increased in several parts of the National Capital following protests and gatherings to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

As a precaution, more police have been deployed in sensitive areas, especially diplomatic missions and Shia-populated areas.

For up-to-the-minute updates on the Iran-Israel war and its impact on the world, read the blog below…