Beijing | June 22, 2025 , As Israel intensifies military operations against Iran, China has issued a forceful condemnation of what it describes as repeated violations of Iranian sovereignty and a growing risk of regional destabilization. The response follows Israel’s latest airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, carried out under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and framed by Tel Aviv as preemptive action against Tehran’s alleged nuclear ambitions.
Observers note that Israel’s justification mirrors past U.S. narratives, most notably Washington’s 2003 invasion of Iraq based on unsubstantiated claims of weapons of mass destruction—a precedent Beijing views with alarm.
In a strongly worded statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized what it called "military adventurism," warning that such actions could ignite a wider regional conflict. Chinese officials emphasized the importance of diplomacy and restraint, urging all parties to seek political solutions over armed confrontation.
UN Security Council Response and Bilateral Diplomacy
China reinforced its stance during an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, where Ambassador Fu Cong condemned Israel’s actions and linked the current offensive to broader concerns, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Without explicitly naming the United States, Fu's comments carried an implicit appeal for Washington to curb its ally’s military assertiveness before the situation escalates further.
In parallel, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate telephone conversations with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts over the weekend. Speaking with Iran’s Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Wang denounced Israel’s “reckless attacks” on nuclear infrastructure, calling them a dangerous breach of international law and the UN Charter. In his call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Wang adopted a more measured tone, urging Israel to step back from military options and recommit to dialogue.
A Strategic and Diplomatic Realignment
China’s response aligns with its long-standing policy of supporting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while firmly opposing any move toward nuclear weaponization. This posture was reaffirmed in March during a trilateral summit hosted in Beijing, where deputy foreign ministers from China, Iran, and Russia reiterated their support for a JCPOA-based resolution and rejected unilateral sanctions.
Beijing’s position is further underpinned by a deepening strategic partnership with Tehran. In 2021, China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement, covering a wide range of sectors including energy, trade, infrastructure, and defense. Despite ongoing U.S. sanctions, China remains Iran’s top trading partner and principal buyer of crude oil, accounting for up to 90% of Iranian oil exports. The two countries also participate in joint military exercises, notably the Marine Security Belt drills alongside Russia.
This alignment reflects Iran’s “Look East” strategy, initiated during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s tenure and now bearing fruit through initiatives like Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023. However, the relationship has not been without friction. Unfulfilled investment pledges, challenges posed by secondary sanctions, and diverging expectations have periodically tested the partnership.
Strategic Calculus and Red Lines
Beijing’s support for Tehran, while firm, is not unconditional. Any Iranian action that threatens global economic stability—such as a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor for global oil and LNG shipments—would cross Beijing’s red lines. Similarly, any withdrawal by Iran from the NPT would undermine China’s multilateralist posture and weaken its credibility as a neutral arbiter in global diplomacy.
China’s expanding influence in the Middle East is built on principles of non-intervention, regional stability, and multipolar diplomacy. Its 2023 mediation in restoring diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia was widely seen as a breakthrough. Yet, Beijing’s leverage over Tehran remains limited, and its image as a responsible global actor could be jeopardized by unchecked escalation.
Iran’s Measured Response—and Its Risks
Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, Iran’s leadership has adopted a somewhat more cautious approach, signaling a willingness to re-engage diplomatically with Western actors. However, this shift has coincided with an uptick in Israeli military operations—including strikes on Hezbollah, Hamas, and expanded activity in Syria. In October, Israel reportedly targeted Iran’s missile and air defense systems directly.
Tehran’s subdued response thus far appears to be a calculated effort to avoid a broader war. Yet, for both Beijing and Moscow, such restraint risks being interpreted as strategic weakness. In an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, where U.S.–China rivalry continues to shape global alignments, hesitation may prove more destabilizing than defiance.
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