As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

China warned the Iran-Israel conflict may spread wider instability in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaching out to both countries as their days-old conflict shows no end in sight.

Rising tensions in the Middle East will accelerate natural gas negotiations between Russia and China, with a decision likely this year, the head of a think-tank that advises the Russian government on China told Reuters.

In response to a question that foreign ministers of 21 Arab, Islamic and African countries issued a joint statement on Israel-Iran conflict, calling for respect of other country's national sovereignty,

Chinese commentators have said that Iran might have fared better against Israeli strikes if had been equipped with Chinese weaponry

China has said that the Israel-Iran conflict may make way for wider instability in the Middle East region and is attempting to reach out to both sides for a potential de-escalation, according to a Bloomberg report.

Both countries have closed their airspaces, leaving few options for citizens of other countries seeking to leave.

The USS Nimitz and its carrier strike group are steaming west from the Pacific as part of an overall buildup of US military firepower

National security experts warn that Israel's attack on Iran shows why Chinese land and asset purchases in the U.S. pose a significant threat to American security.

Blasts have been heard in Tehran and sirens have sounded in Israel as US president convenes National Security Council.