Hong Kong stocks fall with Asia as Iran conflict drives oil prices higher

Hong Kong stocks dropped on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East sent oil prices to recent highs. Over the weekend, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched attacks directly on Israel, which intensified strikes on Tehran. The US has also deployed additional military forces to the Middle East. The escalation pushed up oil prices, with Brent crude jumping as much as 3.7 per cent to US$116.80 a barrel, its highest in more than a week, while West Texas Intermediate rose to US$101 a...