Hong Kong-listed chip stocks showed pockets of strength; Tianshu Zhixin (09903.HK) rose more than 12%, while Biren Technology (06082.HK), Huahong Hongli (01347.HK), SMIC (00981.HK) and ZTE (00763.HK) also gained.

Al Jazeera reported Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Gharibabadi, called a US-drafted IAEA board resolution — which seeks Iran’s explanation for recent bombings of nuclear sites and the disposition of enriched uranium stored there — an attempt to whitewash the attackers’ responsibility. He said IAEA inspectors have left Iran after strikes by Israel and the US, accused those strikes of undermining nuclear safety and verification of safeguarded facilities, and warned the board must not be used to shift the cost of military aggression onto the victim.

According to the New York Times, the United States and Iran are focusing on four nuclear issues in their negotiations.