Loud explosions were heard in several Iranian cities early Monday, after Israel confirmed it has struck targets in western and central Iran. It came hours after Iran fired missiles at Israeli targets in retaliation for an attack on Beirut.

Regional tensions have escalated dramatically following a direct ballistic missile strike by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) targeting Israel’s Ramat David Air Base.

Korean stock markets have been in turmoil but that has not stopped Nvidia announcing a raft of artificial intelligence deals.