Tokyo, May 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average surged over 1,900 points on Monday morning to exceed 65,000 for the first time, backed by expectations for an end to the fighting between the United States and Iran. At 9:49 a.m., the index of 225 selected issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime section stood at 65,254.00, the highest ever on an intraday basis, up 1,914.93 points, or 3.02 pct, from Friday. The broader TOPIX index on the TSE also reached a record intraday high, at 3,953.89. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Saturday that an agreement with Iran would be announced shortly. Following the comment, crude oil prices plunged. Hopes that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for oil transport, will resume are providing support to the Tokyo market as well, with buying led by semiconductor-related stocks. "Buying by overseas short-term investment funds and individual investors trading on margin is concentrated in heavyweight Nikkei components, including Kioxia Holdings and SoftBank Group, as well as in Nikkei 225 futures," a bank-affiliated brokerage house official said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]