** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 1.7%, hitting their highest level in a week

** Sub-index gaining for a second consecutive session

** Oil prices jumped to their highest since January as the U.S. hit key Iranian nuclear facilities, stoking supply worries O/R

** Sector majors Woodside Energy WDS.AX and Santos STO.AX up 1.6% and 0.9%, respectively

** Sub-index up 5.3% this year, as of last close

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)

((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com;))