-- Japanese shares gained on Tuesday's opening as indications that Iran might engage in discussions with the U.S. fueled slight optimism over progress in the Middle East, with a ceasefire deadline approaching.
The Nikkei 225 rose by 206.6 points, or 0.4%, to begin trading at 59,031.51.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is unlikely to extend the truce with Iran unless an agreement is reached before its expiration on Wednesday evening, Washington time, according to various reports.
Meanwhile, according to unnamed sources familiar with the matter, Iran is preparing to send a delegation to the upcoming round of talks, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.
Market focus is now turning to whether the U.S. and Iran can resume negotiations in Pakistan to ease tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following an initial round in Islamabad that ended without a deal, the reports said.