Where China stands on the Israel–Iran conflict

Israel is once again redefining the rules of engagement. Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Tel Aviv has carried out attacks on Iran with little regard for international law or global opinion. Framing these strikes as preemptive measures against Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions, the Israeli government is echoing the same kind of narrative Washington used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq – claims of weapons of mass destruction that turned out to be unfounded.

Beijing sees this ongoing vilification of Iran – driven by both the US and Israel – as dangerous narrative warfare that could lay the groundwork for a broader military conflict.

In response, China has taken a clear and firm stance. The Foreign Ministry condemned repeated violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as actions that risk inflaming tensions across the region. Chinese officials have voiced deep concern about the fallout from the Israeli military operations, calling instead for diplomatic and political solutions. Escalation, they warn, serves no one. Beijing has also expressed a willingness to help de-escalate the situation.

China reinforced this position at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Ambassador Fu Cong denounced what he called Israel’s “military adventurism,” linking it to the ongoing occupation of Gaza – a crisis he described as a “humanitarian disaster.” While not directly naming the US, Fu’s comments implicitly urged Washington to rein in Israeli aggression before the situation spirals further out of control.

Over the weekend, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with his counterparts in both Iran and Israel. The tone of these two conversations could not have been more different. Speaking with Iran’s Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Wang condemned what he called Israel’s “reckless attacks,” warning that strikes on nuclear facilities set a dangerous and unacceptable precedent. He emphasized that such actions violate both the UN Charter and basic principles of international law.

In a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Wang took a more restrained but still critical tone, urging Israel to abandon military solutions and return to diplomacy.

In this unfolding crisis, China has made its position unmistakably clear: it backs Iran’s stance and rejects any military path to resolving the nuclear issue. This aligns with Beijing’s long-held diplomatic posture – recognizing Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while firmly opposing any move toward nuclear weapons, which would violate international norms and run counter to China’s vision of a nuclear-free Middle East.

Nevertheless, Iran has repeatedly asserted that it does not seek nuclear weapons. It supported the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which collapsed after the United States unilaterally withdrew under President Donald Trump. With Trump’s return to the White House, fears were growing that he would once again elevate the Iranian nuclear issue, threatening military action unless Tehran complies with US demands. China and Russia both oppose such unilateral dictate. In March, Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting of Chinese, Iranian, and Russian deputy foreign ministers to reaffirm support for a multilateral, JCPOA-based resolution and denounce illegal sanctions on Iran.

In March, Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting with deputy foreign ministers from China, Iran, and Russia, reaffirming their commitment to a multilateral solution rooted in the JCPOA and denouncing illegal sanctions imposed on Iran.

China’s diplomatic support is part of a broader strategic alignment with Iran. In 2021, the two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement covering trade, infrastructure, energy, technology, defense, education, and more – effectively exchanging long-term economic collaboration for a stable oil supply. Despite ongoing US sanctions, China remains Iran’s top trading partner and largest buyer of crude oil, purchasing as much as 90% of Iran’s exports. The two nations also conduct joint military exercises, such as the Marine Security Belt drills with Russia, launched in 2019.

This partnership reflects Iran’s “Look East” strategy, first introduced by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Focused on deepening ties with China and Russia, the strategy has yielded tangible results, including joint initiatives and Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023. Yet the relationship isn’t without friction. Unfulfilled investment promises, sanctions-related challenges, and mismatched expectations have at times strained the partnership. China seeks stable access to resources and expanded regional influence, while Iran looks for meaningful economic support and advanced technology.

Still, China’s backing of Iran is not without limits. If Tehran were to block the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for over 25% of global oil and one-third of LNG shipments – China’s economic interests would be directly threatened. Likewise, a withdrawal from the NPT would challenge China’s commitment to multilateralism and the international legal order. A closer economic and military alignment between Tehran and Beijing could also strain already fraught relations with Washington, especially if it involved significant arms deals.

Beijing has no appetite for open confrontation. China prefers to cast itself as a responsible global actor, committed to diplomacy and de-escalation. That image is central to its expanding footprint in the Middle East. Its role in brokering the 2023 rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia was a milestone, but its influence over Tehran remains limited. As a relatively new player in regional diplomacy, China’s interests are vulnerable not only to Israeli aggression but also to potential missteps by Iran.

So far, Iran’s response has been relatively restrained – perhaps deliberately so. But that caution could be misread as weakness. Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, Iran’s leadership has moved slightly closer to engaging with the West. That shift was followed by a wave of Israeli operations: damaging strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas, expanded Israeli presence in Syria, and in October, a direct hit to Iran’s missile and air defense systems, potentially paving the way for future attacks.

Tehran’s muted reaction to these provocations may have been an effort to avoid war – but it risks emboldening its adversaries. For both Beijing and Moscow – each navigating its own rivalry with Washington – the lesson is clear: in today’s geopolitical landscape, hesitation can be more dangerous than defiance.