[Asian Stock Markets Expected to Decline, Oil Prices Rise as Iran Conflict Escalates] According to a report by Jinse Finance, Asian stock markets are expected to open lower on Thursday, continuing the week’s volatile trend. Rising oil prices and increasing pressure in the private credit market are weighing on investor sentiment. Futures for Japanese and Hong Kong stock indices indicate a weak opening, while Australian stocks have dropped more than 1%, and S&P 500 futures are down 0.9%. Oil prices rose for the second consecutive day as escalating rhetoric surrounding the Iran conflict has sparked concerns over a prolonged dispute, overshadowing the impact of emergency crude oil reserve releases by wealthy nations.