** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 1.6% to 7831.2, their biggest intraday pct boost since May 14
** Oil prices jump more than 1% on escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East O/R
** Shares of oil and gas major Woodside Energy WDS.AX jump 1.6% while smaller rival Santos STO.AX up 1.7%
** YTD, AXEJ is down 9.4%
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com;))