TOKYO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower on Wednesday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly sliding more than 2 percent, amid renewed tensions in the Middle East.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 1,237.36 points, or 1.89 percent, from Tuesday at 64,179.27.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 48.51 points, or 1.25 percent, lower at 3,847.60.

Markets were unsettled by reports that the United States and Iran exchanged fire, raising concerns over renewed tensions in the Middle East, analysts said.

Caution also prevailed ahead of the release of U.S. consumer price index data for May, due later in the day, which investors are watching for clues on inflation trends and their implications for U.S. Federal Reserve rate policy at next week's meeting. ■