TOKYO, March 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

rose on Tuesday as investors grew hopeful of a potential

de-escalation in the Middle East conflict after U.S. President

Donald Trump said he would hold off on targeting Iran's energy

infrastructure.

The Nikkei was up 2.1% at 52,613.37, as of 0009 GMT,

rebounding from a 3.5% slump on Monday. The broader Topix

climbed 2.4% to 3,570.87.

Japanese shares have remained volatile as Trump's remarks on

a potential attack on Iran continue to sway sentiment.

Trump postponed a threat to bomb Iran's power grid because

of what he described as "productive talks" with unidentified

Iranian officials. Iran denied that it had engaged in

negotiations with the United States.

There were 217 advancers in the Nikkei index against six

decliners.