China Sends Special Envoy to Mediate Ceasefire; Iran Reaches Out via CIA Backchannel

China sent a special envoy to the Middle East this week to push for a ceasefire, with top diplomat Wang Yi calling the conflict 'a war that should never have happened.' Reports emerged that Iran would allow only Chinese vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, citing China's supportive stance. Separately, the Jerusalem Post reported that Iran's Ministry of Intelligence quietly reached out through another country's intelligence service to the CIA with an offer to discuss terms for ending the conflict. Trump reportedly responded: 'Most of the people we had in mind are dead. Pretty soon we are not going to know anybody,' signaling skepticism. Iran's Foreign Ministry publicly denied pursuing talks.