China has recently expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel. The attack has raised the specter of a wider conflagration in a region where Beijing has committed to playing a role as a peacemaker and promoting its own security vision.
The attack by Iran has brought the shadow war between the two regional adversaries into the open, prompting Western allies to urge Israel to de-escalate to prevent the outbreak of an all-out regional conflict. In light of these developments, Washington has sought Beijing's assistance in averting such a scenario.
Questions have arisen regarding the extent of China's influence over Iran and whether Beijing is willing to leverage its political capital to shape Iran's behavior. Despite being Iran's largest trading partner for the past decade and accounting for 90% of Iran's oil exports, China faces challenges in utilizing this economic leverage to influence Iran's actions.
Chinese companies have also been instrumental in providing Iran with security and surveillance equipment, further complicating the dynamics of their relationship. The situation underscores the complexities of China's relationship with Iran and the limitations of its ability to exert influence over the actions of its regional partner.
