France, July 8 -- The sudden flare-up has stoked concerns about peace talks between the foes as they look to end their conflict and fully reopen the crucial waterway.

It added to the largely dour mood in Asia, where Seoul suffered another tech rout amid questions over stretched valuations and when companies will start realising profits from their eye-watering AI investments.

US and Iranian forces reported hitting dozens of targets, putting more strain on an interim deal to end the Middle East war, while Washington revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil.

Washington revoked the waiver and launched the new attacks on military sites in what the US military called retaliation for Iran's strikes on three commercial ships in the...