"The risk is higher oil prices, a slump in equities, and a surge in volatility that supports the dollar and yen, and undermine 'risk' currencies," said analysts at CBA in a note.
In currency markets, the yen was the main gainer though moves were modest overall.
The news from the Middle East could also sour the start of corporate earnings season with 12 S&P 500 companies reporting this week including JP Morgan, Citi, and Wells Fargo.
Early Monday, markets seemed to think developments in the Middle East would lean against further Fed hikes, and perhaps hasten a policy easing next year.
China also returns from holiday this week with a deluge of data including consumer and producer inflation, trade, credit and lending growth.
Persons:
Androniki, Israel, Brent, JP Morgan, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam
Organizations:
Nikkei, REUTERS, CBA, Nasdaq, Citi, Reserve, Thomson
Locations:
Tokyo, Japan, SYDNEY, Asia, Iran, Straits, Hormuz, Gaza, Wells Fargo, China