The Australian sharemarket opened lower after the US military said it carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran, triggering doubts about an imminent end to the war.

The Australian sharemarket has climbed at the open while oil prices have tumbled on rising hopes of an end to the Middle East conflict.

The Australian sharemarket is set for an uncertain start to the session as US President Donald Trump said he had told his representatives not to rush into any deal with Iran,…