Executive Summary

China’s responses to the Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025 (and to US involvement) spotlight its role as a strategic ally to Iran and its interest in becoming a mediator on a global scale. China’s economic and military ties with Iran grew in the past four years. In particular, China has demonstrated an interest in Tehran’s oil reserves. The two nation’s ties are further visible in recent military cooperation, diplomatic support, and suspicious flights between the countries. During the conflict, China urged de-escalation and proposed itself as mediator, much as it has been doing in past years. However, Beijing’s interest in challenging Western dominance seems to exceed its coercive power to play global mediator.