TOKYO, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices stabilised in early Asian trade on Tuesday but stocks moved lower, as investors eyed the situation in the Middle East.

West Texas Intermediate oil was unchanged at $71.23 per barrel following a 6.3 percent rise on Monday after US and Israeli military strikes on Iran began over the weekend.

Brent crude, having gained 7.3 percent on Monday -- after jumping as much as 13 percent early in the session -- was not yet being traded.

Japan's Nikkei was down 0.84 percent, having fallen 1.4 percent on Monday. South Korea's Kospi, closed the day earlier due to a public holiday, was down 1.6 percent.