U.S. Central Command announced on Wednesday that the United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran in three days, marking a return to active fighting after more than a month of relative calm in the conflict that began on February 28. ^[1] Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street while oil prices eased. ^[2] The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 87.61 points, or 1.33 percent, to 6,650.33 at the opening bell. ^[3] Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose about 1 per cent on Wednesday morning in London trading to almost US$96 a barrel, up from less than US$90 late last week. ^[4] Rising oil prices pushed global bond yields to the highest levels since 2008, with 10-year U.S. Treasuries climbing to 4.81 per cent and Japanese government bonds hitting 3 per cent for the first time since 1996. ^[5] U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Tuesday that any retaliation would see the country hit again at a much harder and higher level. ^[6] The main index plunged 3.99 percent to 6,562.72 in the previous session amid concerns about tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes. ^[7] U.S. President Donald Trump said renewed U.S. attacks on Iran would likely be short-lived, easing concerns about inflation. ^[8]