Australia shares close at two‑month high on Middle East optimism

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index closed 0.5% higher at 8966.30, its highest level since April 15, driven by optimism over a U.S.-Iran interim agreement under which Washington would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and Tehran would restore oil tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Miners rose 1.2% with BHP hitting a record high, banks gained 0.5% for a fourth straight session, and gold stocks jumped 3.5%, while energy stocks fell 2.3% on easing oil prices. Investors also positioned ahead of the first policy decision under new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh.