23 resultsfor “China's influence in the Iran conflict”
China’s significant stakes in the US-Iran war, and the role Beijing could play in influencing the direction of the conflict
conflict. China has been credited with pushing Iran towards the ceasefire. This week the US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, called on China to “step up with some diplomacy” – essentially asking for Beijing’s help
Iran. However, it has largely avoided being pulled into the fray. In recent days, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have stepped up their calls for China
influence over Tehran, particularly because China remains the largest buyer of Iranian oil — by far — purchasing more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped crude exports. US officials have also urged China to support efforts
influence with the Iranians: China, previously “reluctant” to get too entwined in a messy war that was visibly weakening Trump, was quietly taking a different tack as the toll
conflict – in the years ahead. China is trying to quietly step in as a peacemaker with the war now in its third month. Beijing has joined Pakistan as a mediator in the US-Israel
China [could demand concessions](/news/2026/5/13/trump-xi-summit-chinas-help-in-iran-may-require-us-concessions) from the US, potentially on Taiwan, in exchange for using its influence to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington urges Beijing to play a greater role
conflict? It was reported [last month](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/who-can-claim-victory-iran-ceasefire-china) that China had pushed Iran to the negotiating table with the US in a previous round of ceasefire talks. Last week, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi
influence with Tehran. China is Iran’s biggest economic and strategic partner. Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi [last week](/news/2026/5/6/araghchi-in-beijing-how-china-could-shape-the-direction-of-the-us-iran-war) in Beijing, where China reaffirmed its “strategic partnership” with Iran while calling
China strongly opposes any military action. As is often the case, Beijing avoids escalation, but its position is clear and significant, particularly given its close economic ties with Iran. As for India, it has shown
influence of countries such as China and India increased in recent years, the IEA’s sway over oil prices diminished, leading to greater risks to global energy security, said Andreas Goldthau, an energy expert
influence over the key waterway. Trump has called its latest proposal — with these demands — “garbage”. So what options does he have? On Sunday, the US president hinted that more military moves may be needed, while
China, Europe, South Korea, and the Middle East, [according to Carter's notes](https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/eyewitness/html.php?section=21). John Paul II, a Polish pope, was also involved in less-public political influence. He supported Polish opposition
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The ship’s bridge suffered significant damage. It was, according to Kennedy, “a show of a calibrated use of force, signalling control without necessarily aiming to halt
China trip. She said Beijing is likely trying to steer Tehran back towards negotiations and stabilise the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime choke point carrying a fifth of global oil exports. - **Rubio, Lavrov talk Iran
China. - **Houthis rally in Yemen for Lebanon:** Supporters in Sanaa showed solidarity with Lebanon. The Iran-aligned and armed Houthi movement, which controls northern Yemen, has warned of joining the war if needed. ![Yemen rally
conflict and Iran’s effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, which has blocked a large portion of the region’s supply of oil and natural gas. ASEAN, whose members represent more than 700 million
influence to convince Iran to reopen the vital waterway. What makes this dynamic particularly striking is the contradiction at the heart of US policy. Even as Trump and Rubio appeal for China’s help
conflict is in an unsteady and uncertain holding pattern. "It is remarkable that President Trump is prepared to go to China under these circumstances," said Kurt Campbell, chairman of The Asia Group
influence Trump’s decision around this issue and potentially create a situation where it will be much harder for [Lai’s] government to request more special defensive spending in the future,” Yang said. ## Restoring