Iran War Enters Day 34 With Nearly 2,000 Dead, China-Pakistan Ceasefire Plan Rejected, and Strait of Hormuz Still Closed

The US-Israeli war against Iran entered its 34th day on Friday with its death toll climbing toward 2,000 on the Iranian side alone, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire stalling, and the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed to normal commercial traffic, sustaining the most severe disruption to global energy markets since the Gulf War of 1990.

Preliminary figures compiled by Al Jazeera put the death toll at approximately 1,937 people killed inside Iran, at least 24 in Israel, 13 American service members, and 27 killed across Gulf states. Investigations by The Intercept found that the Pentagon may be significantly undercounting US casualties, with at least 520 American personnel wounded. The outlet reported that US Central Command sent an outdated casualty statement that excluded at least 15 additional troops wounded in a recent attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

China and Pakistan jointly unveiled a five-point ceasefire initiative this week following meetings in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The plan calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the prompt launch of peace negotiations, protection of civilians and non-military infrastructure, safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and adherence to the UN Charter. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the initiative is public and called for “an immediate end to military operations and return to dialogue.”

The proposal represents the first time a major global power has put forward a structured diplomatic template to end the war. But Washington has not formally responded. Tehran denied it ever requested a ceasefire despite Trump’s claims, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating plainly that Iran has “never asked for a ceasefire.”

Iran continued striking Gulf targets this week, hitting oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, firing missiles intercepted over Dubai, and attacking a Kuwaiti oil tanker. Israel’s military said it is prepared for “weeks” more of strikes and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the war was “beyond the halfway point” in achieving its military objectives.

Over 2,000 Iranians have been killed since February 28, including many civilians, with 25 hospitals damaged and 9 knocked out of service entirely. NATO allies Spain, France, and Italy have restricted US military access to their bases and airspace. Britain is hosting a 35-nation summit on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, even as the waterway remains firmly under Iranian control.