Asian stocks today, July 13 -- Asian markets declined on Monday, 13 July, as investor sentiment remained focused on rising tensions in the Middle East after the United States and Iran carried out fresh military strikes over the weekend, while Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.2%, while the broader Topix index declined 0.094%. South Korea's Kospi was down 2.47%, with the small-cap Kosdaq climbing 0.98%. Meanwhile, Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was also down 0.10% on Monday.

Asian markets opened lower on Monday as oil prices surged after the United States carried out fresh military strikes on Iran, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Brent crude rose more than 3% to aro...