The Times of Israel is liveblogging Wednesday’s events as they unfold.

China calls on Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between US and Iran

China’s top diplomat is urging Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and help to “properly” address the reopening of the Hormuz strait, Chinese state media says.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar on a call, state news agency Xinhua reports, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.

Iran said to retain access to 30 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has succeeded in restoring access to 30 of 33 missile sites it has along the Strait of Hormuz, allowing it to threaten vessels traversing the key waterway, according to a report in the New York Times that cites US intelligence assessments.

The report quotes those knowledge of the assessments as saying the Iranians can use mobile launchers inside the sites to move missiles elsewhere and that some of the sites have launchpads from which missiles can be fired, with only three of the 33 sites near Hormuz completely inaccessible.

Australia says it will join ‘strictly defensive’ Hormuz........

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