Tehran Holds Readiness Drills as Diplomacy Shifts to Regional Backchannels

On May 12 and 13, the Iranian military shifted its focus from maritime defense to the capital, conducting large-scale readiness drills in Tehran. These exercises, which included simulated urban defense scenarios, are intended to deter U.S. or Israeli strikes as the regional conflict enters its 75th day. While direct U.S.-Iran combat was not reported in the last 24 hours, the proxy front remained active, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) striking Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon following a series of explosive drone launches aimed at northern Israeli border towns. On the diplomatic front, China is increasingly utilizing regional backchannels to preserve stability in the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, urging Islamabad to leverage its neutral position to mediate between Washington and Tehran. This push for stability comes as Chinese tankers continue to navigate the Strait, with the supertanker Yuan Hua Hu successfully transiting the waterway on May 13. Domestically, Iran continues a hardline approach to internal security, executing a man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad. Tensions remain high as U.S. intelligence monitors Tehran's potential nuclear enrichment responses to President Trump's recent dismissal of Iranian peace proposals. Economic pressure continues to build globally, with U.S. domestic gasoline prices nearing $5 per gallon as the market reacts to the ongoing maritime instability.