China & Iran: Ex-US Ambassador on Beijing’s Response to Conflict
“The Chinese problem in the last 19 days is that they haven’t lifted a finger to support Iran, in any way.” The blunt assessment, delivered by former U.S. Ambassador to China R. Nicholas Burns at a Chatham House event on March 21, 2026, underscores a growing concern regarding Beijing’s response to the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. The remarks followed late-February military strikes led by the U.S. And Israel, including the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
China’s reaction has been largely characterized by restraint, a posture that contrasts with the significant economic ties between Beijing and Tehran. According to Kpler’s 2025 data, China accounts for over 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports, averaging 1.38 million barrels per day. This volume is particularly crucial for Iran, as U.S. Sanctions related to its nuclear program have restricted access to global markets, and Iranian crude is often sold at a discount.
Despite this economic dependence, and a shared interest in countering Western influence, China has not publicly offered substantial support to Iran. This silence, as noted by Yang Xiaotong, a researcher at the Horizon Insights Centre, reveals Beijing’s prioritization of its own core interests. The U.S.-Israeli operation targeting Iran’s nuclear program, and the subsequent Iranian retaliation against U.S. Military installations and diplomatic missions, has created a complex geopolitical landscape for China.
The relationship between China and Iran is not a formal alliance, but rather a “loose partnership aimed at countering Western influence,” according to the American Jewish Committee. Both nations benefit from the arrangement; China secures a discounted energy supply, although Iran circumvents sanctions. Yet, this partnership appears to have limits, particularly when weighed against China’s economic interests and its existing relationship with Israel. Despite a reported surge in antisemitism on Chinese state-sanctioned online platforms, China and Israel have maintained political and economic ties.
The conflict also presents strategic opportunities for China, as highlighted by the Observer Research Foundation. The instability in the Middle East could allow Beijing to expand its diplomatic influence, recalibrate partnerships, and advance its position within a shifting global order. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with its expanding investments and infrastructure development in the region, has significantly increased its stakes in regional stability. A prolonged escalation, however, poses risks to these investments.
As of March 22, 2026, China has issued a condemnation of Israel’s killing of Iranian officials, deeming it “unacceptable” and opposing the employ of force. However, this statement falls short of concrete action or material support for Iran. Russia, also a potential ally for Iran, remains preoccupied with its own ongoing conflict, leaving Iran facing a potentially decisive confrontation without significant external assistance. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate indication of a shift in China’s policy.