Asia markets mostly rise as Trump says negotiations between Iran and the U.S. are in 'final stage'

Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains, on rising optimism over a Middle East peace deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington was in the "final stages" of negotiations with Iran, according to a pool report, helping lift investor optimism.

Oil prices have seen a sharp rise as the Trump administration blockades Iranian ports, while the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy waterways, has been effectively closed by Tehran.

Japan's Nikkei 225 ended Thursday's trading session 3.14% higher at 61,684.14, following a strong trade data report.

Japan's exports in April clocked their fastest growth this year since January, rising 14.8% year on year and beating estimates, thanks to a surge in semiconductor shipments. Imports grew 9.7%, also topping expectations, according to government data.

SoftBank Group shares surged nearly 20%, as Nvidia's blockbuster earnings overnight signaled strong AI momentum.

South Korea's Kospi advanced 8.42% at 7,815.59 while the small-cap Kosdaq rose 4.7% to 1,105.97. Index heavyweight Samsung Electronics added more than 8.5% after a strike involving more than 47,000 of its workers was averted following a breakthrough in wage negotiations. SK Hynix gained 11.2%.

Daniel Yoo, global strategist and head of global investment department of Yuanta Securities (Korea) said on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" he expects Kospi to hit 10,000 by year-end.

South Korea will start 24-hour dollar-won spot trading on July 6, its finance ministry said Thursday, part of ongoing reforms of its capital market to boost economic growth.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 advanced 1.47% to 8,621.70.

China's CSI 300 gave up early gains, dropping 1.39% to 4,783.1, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 1.15% in the last hour of trade.

India's Nifty 50 was flat in choppy trade, while the BSE Sensex lost 0.31%.

Oil trended higher after falling on Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate futures were 1.23% higher at $99.47 per barrel in Asia trading on Thursday, while Brent crude added 1.24% at $105.32 a barrel.