Australian shares are expected to open higher, but investors are also reacting to heightened uncertainty linked to Iran. Multiple outlets report that a wave of strikes over the weekend has escalated tensions, and that Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. The closure affects a major global shipping route, raising concerns about trade disruption and the potential for further impacts on energy and shipping markets. As a result, market sentiment is described as mixed: while expectations for the ASX to climb remain intact, traders appear cautious due to the risk of additional escalation and wider economic effects. The reporting highlights that developments in the Middle East are influencing global risk appetite, which can affect Australian market pricing across sectors exposed to commodities, freight, and macroeconomic conditions. Overall, the sources present the same core message: the ASX is seen moving upward, but uncertainty tied to the Iran strikes and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz is a central factor driving volatility.