Asian stocks edge higher as oil prices rise on Iran-US tensions

Despite higher oil prices and new attacks between Iran and the US, major indices in Asia are posting cautious gains.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell at the open but had turned up 0.6 percent by lunchtime. The broader Topix is up 0.3 percent.

There are also smaller gains in China. Shanghai is up 0.4 percent and Shenzhen is up 0.1 percent.

The Hong Kong-based Hang Seng is unchanged, while the South Korean Kospi is up 2.0 percent.

The price of oil has risen in the first hours of the day. A barrel of Brent crude costs $99.50 at 05:00 Swedish time, an increase of 1.6 percent.