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By Anjali Singh

July 14 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended flat on Tuesday, as gains in energy offset losses in banks and technology stocks while investors tracked broader global concerns over the re-escalating Middle East conflict and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closed unchanged at 8,808.50 points. The benchmark is now down over 4% from its February 26 peak.

"The key level is 8,700: a decisive break below it would take the index beneath both its near-term and longer-term moving averages, signalling a firmer shift from caution into outright risk-off sentiment," said Hebe Chen, a market analyst at Vantage Markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a reinstating of a blockade of Iranian shipping in the Persian Gulf and mooted a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz without providing details, as the U.S. military carried out attacks against Iran for a third consecutive night.

Tensions surrounding the blockade pushed oil prices higher, lifting Australian energy stocks and preventing a decline in the country's benchmark index. O/R

Energy stocks .AXEJ rose 2% to one-month high, with Santos STO.AX and Woodside Energy WDS.AX adding 1.3% and 3%, respectively.

"The ASX 200 is still bending rather than breaking," Hebe added, noting the market remains exposed to shifts in global growth and risk appetite, with its commodity-heavy makeup leaving room for sharper downside if a wider global selloff takes hold.

Financials .AXFJ fell 0.5%, with the big four banks dropping between 0.4% and 1%.

Rate sensitive real estate .AXRE stocks also declined 1.6%.

On the other hand, utility stocks .AXUJ rebounded to rise as much as 1.6%, marking its steepest intraday rise since June 12.

Miners .AXMM added 0.6%, with major peers BHP Group BHP.AX and Fortescue FMG.AX rising 0.6% and 1.3%.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell 0.5% to 13,651.22 points.