US-Israel War on Iran: Day 12 and China’s Diplomatic Push

The US-Israeli military strikes against Iran have entered their 12th day, marked by escalating civilian casualties, persistently high global oil prices, and growing risks of a wider regional conflict. As the conflict continues with the potential for becoming a prolonged war, the US administration faces increasing domestic dissent, while President Donald Trump has again indicated the war with Iran will end “soon.” Amidst this volatile situation, China has intensified its shuttle diplomacy efforts to push for an immediate ceasefire and a political resolution.

China’s Diplomatic Efforts

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone conversations on Tuesday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, according to releases from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Wang reiterated China’s call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and a move towards a political solution. He emphasized the need for the US and Israel to halt military operations and stated China’s disapproval of attacks on Gulf countries and civilian infrastructure.

These conversations followed earlier discussions on Monday with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Parallel diplomatic efforts are being led on the ground by Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy for the Middle East, who met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tuesday, following a meeting with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun affirmed China’s commitment to urging peace and defending justice and fairness as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a friend to Middle Eastern countries. China will continue to strengthen communication with all parties involved and play a constructive role in de-escalation and restoring peace.

Experts highlight China’s strong relationships with Middle Eastern nations and its consistent advocacy for peace talks and reconciliation, contributing to its credibility in the region. Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, noted China’s unique position of maintaining friendly relations with both Iran and Arab countries, positioning it to help ease tensions.

Escalating Conflict and Regional Impacts

On the battlefield, the violence has intensified. Powerful blasts were reported in Tehran due to Israeli air strikes early Wednesday, targeting military headquarters, oil infrastructure, residential areas, schools, and hospitals, according to Al Jazeera. Iran has claimed a new wave of attacks on Israel and US assets in Iraq, Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait. Qatar issued an “elevated” threat level alert, advising residents to remain indoors.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it launched its “most intense and heaviest operation” since the start of the war overnight into Wednesday, as reported by CNN. The US Central Command released footage claiming to have eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers, near the Strait of Hormuz.

The tension in the Strait of Hormuz presents a double-edged sword. It threatens energy security and the global economy for the US, while potentially damaging Iran’s relations with Gulf countries.

Domestic Concerns and War Costs

President Trump stated on Wednesday that the war with Iran will end “soon,” claiming there is “practically nothing left to target,” according to Axios. However, despite assurances from US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that the US will not engage in another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict, Democrats have warned of escalating war costs and a lack of a clear end in sight, coinciding with soaring oil prices, as reported by CNBC.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, following a classified briefing on Capitol Hill, expressed concerns on X (formerly Twitter) that the Trump administration’s Iran war plans are “incoherent and incomplete” and warned of the conflict potentially becoming an “endless war.” Kamal Kharazi, Iran’s foreign policy adviser to the office of the Supreme Leader, warned that Iran is prepared for a long war with the US, citing past instances of perceived deception during negotiations.

The Pentagon has reportedly spent $5.6 billion on munitions during the first two days of its military assault on Iran, according to the Washington Post. US media reports indicate seven US troops have been killed and approximately 140 wounded, though sources suggest the number of wounded may be higher than publicly disclosed, as reported by ABC News.

Widening Rifts

As the conflict escalates, divisions are also growing among Western nations and within the European Union. Spain has formally withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, signaling a cooling of diplomatic relations, according to Al Jazeera. The Left group in the European Parliament criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for not condemning US and Israeli strikes in the Middle East, as reported by Anadolu Agency.