** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 1.2% to their highest level since August 28, 2025
** Oil prices rose to their highest since late September on looming Iran concerns, while a weak U.S. dollar lent further support O/R
** Whitehaven Coal WHC.AX, up as much as 4.4%, among the top gainers on the sub-index after it logged a bigger-than-expected 13.5% rise in second-quarter output
** Karoon Energy KAR.AX up 1.9% was also among the top movers on the sub-index
** Sub-index shed 2.3% in 2025
(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)
((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com))