Advertisement

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure strategic interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
10
China could step up investment and imports of oil and gas from Iran under a 25-year cooperation agreement signed in 2021. Photo: Reuters
Beijing is likely to step up support for Tehran as it tries to secure its strategic interests in the Middle East, analysts say, amid concerns over how the recent Iran-Israel war will reverberate across the resource-rich region.

But one analyst noted it was a balancing act for Beijing to avoid compromising ties with Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

The assessment was made as policymakers around the world are closely watching how the 12-day conflict in June – briefly joined by the US – will affect regional geopolitics.

The Israeli government believes the United States would back another Israeli strike on Iran if Tehran restarts its nuclear programme and this was likely discussed when US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Monday, Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) hands over a letter to US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Photo: AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) hands over a letter to US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Photo: AFP

That has reignited worries over political stability in the Islamic Republic. Days after Israel began its missile attack on Iran last month, Netanyahu told ABC News that he would not rule out a plan to assassinate Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x