With few major developments in the crisis fuelled by the killing of Qasem Soleimani last week, traders were able to turn their attention back to the global economic outlook and the US-China trade deal signing planned for Jan15.
Sydney climbed more than one percent, while Seoul jumped one percent and Singapore put on 0.7 percent. Manila, Mumbai and Bangkok were also up, while Wellington was marginally higher and Taipei eased slightly.Observers said the limited impact on markets was mostly because the standoff was not expected to have a massive impact on global growth.
But analysts warned that the mood could change in a split second, with Donald Trump warning of a"major retaliation" if Iran carries out any revenge attacks. The strike on such a high-profile member of the Iranian regime has also raised the question of when and how -- not if -- Tehran will retaliate, which experts say will likely continue to support crude.