Japan 20-year government bond yield rose 2.0 bps to 3.575%.

Axios reports Iran and U.S. officials continue negotiations via Qatari intermediaries despite recent exchanges of fire. Over the past two days Iranian and U.S. officials held parallel meetings in Doha with Qatari mediators. Qatar attempted to convene a trilateral session to resolve remaining differences directly; Iran declined. Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran on Wednesday to meet Iran’s foreign minister and other officials to try to revive talks. Two U.S. officials said they hoped Tuesday’s strike would prompt Iran to act and respond to Trump’s proposal, and that Trump’s threats are part of the same pressure strategy. One U.S. official said: "The deal remains on the table, but if Iran continues to delay and respond passively, the president is ready to make Iran pay."

A-share market opened: Shanghai Composite -0.34%, Shenzhen Composite Index -0.43%, ChiNext -0.40%. Outperformers: oilfield services and engineering, chemicals, industrial gases, animal farming. Laggards: MLCC, precious metals, humanoid robots.