WTI crude futures fell $2.00 intraday to $99.81/bbl, down 2.06%.

The Houthi leader said Saudi Arabia, under US supervision and with support from Zionists, is conducting ongoing aggression in Yemen. He accused Riyadh of failing to use de-escalation seriously, instead exploiting it to tighten repressive measures, form Takfiri military forces and push Yemen toward collapse; he said the Houthis are on the defensive and did not initiate attacks. He added the latest escalation began with Saudi bombing of Sanaa airport and that Saudi forces have launched the first attacks at every stage.

South Korea's KOSPI closed up 180.14 points, or 2.68%, at 6,895.55 on Sept. 18, led by SK Hynix +6.41% and Samsung Electronics +3.36%. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed up 882.70 points, or 1.38%, at 65,018.95, with SoftBank rising over 1%.