China’s Not-So-Quiet Hand in Iran’s War Effort

Beijing has publicly positioned itself as a neutral actor, but there’s evidence that points to a different reality.

Navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian–Russian–Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman on March 12, 2025. Iranian Army Office/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

As the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States deepens, a more complex and consequential dynamic is emerging that points to the quiet but increasingly consequential role of China.