Iran and China Challenge US as Alliance Grows
The visit highlights a strategic alignment as China continues purchasing Iranian oil and transferring missile-related materials and air-defense systems to Tehran, while Russia's presence signals Moscow's shared interest in challenging U.S. influence in the region.
Newsweek has reached out to State Department for comment.
Iran's growing partnership with China after its recent conflict with Israel-and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear targets- underscores Beijing's expanding influence in the Middle East.
China's support provides Iran with crucial economic and military backing that stands to weaken U.S.-led sanctions and containment efforts. For Washington, this challenges American influence in a region vital to global energy and security. China's deepening involvement advances its strategic goals while complicating U.S. efforts to maintain dominance in the Middle East.
Araghchi's visit to China provides Tehran with a high-profile platform to reframe its regional narrative and showcase its growing alignment with Beijing. Iran is expected to use this opportunity to advocate for broader security coordination among alliances and deepen its cooperation with Chinese leadership.
Araghchi is set to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other leaders attending the SCO summit, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24, multiple reports-including those from Middle East Eye and Israel Hayom-indicate that Iran has received Chinese-made surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, paid for in oil. While China's embassy has formally denied any arms sales to nations "engaged in warfare, China has also made clear that it "sells the J-10 aircraft only to friendly countries," as Iran seeks to acquire these fighter jets amid delays in Russian arms deliveries, signaling Tehran's efforts to broaden its military partnerships.
Founded in 2001, the SCO includes China, Russia, Iran, India, Pakistan and several Central Asian countries, serving as a platform for Beijing to deepen regional ties. For Iran, SCO membership offers greater diplomatic and economic engagement beyond Western institutions, helping Tehran bypass its current isolation. Last month, China hosted SCO defense ministers, underscoring its commitment to strengthening the bloc.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: "During this trip, in addition to participating in the meeting of foreign ministers and explaining our country's positions and views, the Foreign Minister will meet and discuss with the Chinese Foreign Minister and a number of other foreign ministers participating in the meeting,"
Bradley Bowman, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies: "For Beijing, strategic ambiguity is a feature, not a flaw ... quietly enabling Iran's missile ambitions."
Tehran is set to expand its strategic partnership with Beijing, solidifying economic ties and deepening military-technical cooperation. This growing alliance challenges U.S. influence across the Middle East, even as Washington steps up sanctions enforcement. Meanwhile, the U.S. is intensifying collaboration with Gulf and Israeli partners to adapt to the region's shifting power dynamics.
Related Articles
Satellite Images Show Damage From Iran Strike on US Air BaseIran Sets New Terms for Nuclear Talks With U.S.Israeli Official Issues New Warning About Iran's Nuclear Threat'Isolationist Voices' Might Have Lost Footing With Trump After Iran: Pence
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
35 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
What Trump's new weapons plan for Ukraine might mean
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has endorsed a plan to have European allies buy billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment that can be transferred to Ukraine as Kyiv looks for way to better defend itself against intensified Russian attacks. Trump announced the effort Monday during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who has been working with European countries to coordinate the purchase of U.S. weapons. The plan is designed to allow the U.S. to funnel more firepower to Ukraine to combat invading Russian forces during their summer military offensive while easing Washington's financial burden. Increased weapons shipments, combined with possible new penalties Trump has promised if a halt to the fighting isn't reached in 50 days, could push Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks that Trump has championed for months — so far with little to show for it. Here's a look at what Trump promised and what it might mean: What's the new Ukraine weapons deal Trump announced? The U.S. plans to sell Patriot missile batteries — systems ideal for shielding territory against incoming missile attacks — and other weapons to European allies that would be transferred to Kyiv. 'We're going to supply weapons to NATO at a large amount,' Trump said. Rutte said Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine, and noted that 'speed is of the essence here.' Later Monday, during a meeting with his administration's faith office and business leaders, Trump said, 'They're going to deliver the weapons, and they're going to pay for 100% of the weapons.' The president had earlier teased the announcement , but the details of the transfers — exactly what munitions they would include, the specifics of their delivery and their timing— were unclear. Other parts of the administration deferred to the White House, where officials said details were still being worked out. On a call with the other foreign ministers of the Quad grouping — India, Japan and Australia — Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'underscored that it remains a priority of President Trump to bring the war to an end through a durable negotiated settlement,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to discuss some details — particularly related to the Patriot batteries — and noted greater defense spending. 'We are determined to assume greater responsibility for Europe's deterrence and defense,' said Pistorius, whose government has offered to finance two additional Patriot systems. In addition to Germany, Greece and Spain are among the NATO members believed to have spare Patriots to send to Ukraine, as long as they are eventually replaced. U.S. officials said that anything to be supplied to Ukraine in the short term will have to come from existing stockpiles and that it will take several years to replace whatever is sent to Kyiv. What does Ukraine need from the U.S.? Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that its air defenses are struggling to counter. At the same time, Russia's bigger army is making a new effort to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 620-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line. Trump announced last week that the U.S. planned to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine , following a prior pause in some deliveries during a review of U.S. stockpiles. Still, the president expressed frustration about U.S. resources going to Ukraine, reiterating Monday that 'this is not Trump's war. We're here to get it finished and stopped.' During the meeting with Rutte, he also praised European leaders for being willing to take on a larger responsibility for arming Ukraine — a far cry from once criticizing Europe for failing to spend more on defense. 'I have to tell you, Europe has a lot of spirit for this war,' Trump said. 'When I first got involved, I didn't think they did, but they do.' Why is Trump threatening tariffs to punish Russia? Trump again vented his frustrations about stalled negotiations to end the war , saying the U.S. will impose steep trade penalties if Moscow doesn't reach a peace deal with Kyiv in the next 50 days. 'Tariffs at about 100% — you'd call them secondary tariffs,' Trump said without providing details. Secondary tariffs would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy — potentially including nations that rely on Russia for oil and natural gas. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that Trump was actually referring to economic sanctions, rather than tariffs. Separately, some Republicans close to Trump, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, are promoting a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia that is working its way through Congress. Trump said Monday that 'I'm not sure we need it' given his threat for economic consequences if the fighting continues. But, he added, 'it could be very useful, we'll have to see.' An emboldened Russia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine , seeking an advantage before the fighting season wanes in the fall. Trump's 50-day deadline will allow Kremlin forces to further expand into the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk , the capture of which would hand them a major battlefield victory and bring them closer to acquiring the entire Donetsk region . Russia's forces also have been pushing into Ukraine's northern Sumy region, where Putin hopes to create a 'buffer zone' to protect Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions and defend against the possibility of surprise Ukrainian incursions . Why has Trump changed his tone toward Putin? Trump long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, repeatedly asserting that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. At the same time, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a 'dictator without elections.' But Russia's relentless onslaught on civilian areas of Ukraine has worn down Trump's patience. In April, he urged Putin to 'STOP!' launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month he said in a social media post that the Russian leader 'has gone absolutely CRAZY!' Trump said Monday that he remains in frequent contact with Putin but questioned how much those talks have gotten him. 'My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,' Trump said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
42 minutes ago
- The Hill
Hochul calls for heightened federal drone defense strategy
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has called for a heightened federal drone defense strategy, following reports of drone sightings in the Northeast towards the end of 2024 'I am writing to you with respect to the critical need for federal action regarding the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones,' Hochul said in a letter to President Trump last week. 'As you are aware, late last year, the New York City area and the Hudson Valley experienced concerning UAS sightings that underscored the inadequacy of the federal government's posture and the constrained ability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats,' she added. Hochul wrote two letters, one addressed to President Trump and another addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-S.D.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Drone sightings rattled multiple Northeastern states, most notably New Jersey, in late 2024. Former President Biden's administration said in December that the drones were not a national security or public risk. 'In early June, the Ukrainian military launched a successful surprise attack against Russian strategic air forces using drones,' Hochul said in her letters 'This serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and significant danger these systems present. An attack against strategic military and critical infrastructure in New York poses an urgent danger to the United States.' 'I urge the Administration to proactively improve the UAS detection and mitigation posture in New York and for Congress to extend existing authorities and expand states' abilities to detect and mitigate these threats themselves,' the Empire State governor added. The Hill has reached out to the White House, Thune's office, Schumer's office, Johnson's office and Jeffries's office for comment.
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
What Trump's new weapons plan for Ukraine might mean
Increased weapons shipments, combined with possible new penalties Trump has promised if a halt to the fighting isn't reached in 50 days, could push Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks that Trump has championed for months — so far with little to show for it. Advertisement Here's a look at what Trump promised and what it might mean: Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up What's the new Ukraine weapons deal Trump announced? The U.S. plans to sell Patriot missile batteries — systems ideal for shielding territory against incoming missile attacks — and other weapons to European allies that would be transferred to Kyiv. 'We're going to supply weapons to NATO at a large amount,' Trump said. Rutte said Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine, and noted that 'speed is of the essence here.' Later Monday, during a meeting with his administration's faith office and business leaders, Trump said, 'They're going to deliver the weapons, and they're going to pay for 100% of the weapons.' Advertisement The president had earlier teased the announcement, but the details of the transfers — exactly what munitions they would include, the specifics of their delivery and their timing— were unclear. Other parts of the administration deferred to the White House, where officials said details were still being worked out. On a call with the other foreign ministers of the Quad grouping — India, Japan and Australia — Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'underscored that it remains a priority of President Trump to bring the war to an end through a durable negotiated settlement,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to discuss some details — particularly related to the Patriot batteries — and noted greater defense spending. 'We are determined to assume greater responsibility for Europe's deterrence and defense,' said Pistorius, whose government has offered to finance two additional Patriot systems. In addition to Germany, Greece and Spain are among the NATO members believed to have spare Patriots to send to Ukraine, as long as they are eventually replaced. U.S. officials said that anything to be supplied to Ukraine in the short term will have to come from existing stockpiles and that it will take several years to replace whatever is sent to Kyiv. What does Ukraine need from the U.S.? Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that its air defenses are struggling to counter. At the same time, Russia's bigger army is making a new effort to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 620-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line. Trump announced last week that the U.S. planned to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine, following a prior pause in some deliveries during a review of U.S. stockpiles. Advertisement Still, the president expressed frustration about U.S. resources going to Ukraine, reiterating Monday that 'this is not Trump's war. We're here to get it finished and stopped.' During the meeting with Rutte, he also praised European leaders for being willing to take on a larger responsibility for arming Ukraine — a far cry from once criticizing Europe for failing to spend more on defense. 'I have to tell you, Europe has a lot of spirit for this war,' Trump said. 'When I first got involved, I didn't think they did, but they do.' Why is Trump threatening tariffs to punish Russia? Trump again vented his frustrations about stalled negotiations to end the war, saying the U.S. will impose steep trade penalties if Moscow doesn't reach a peace deal with Kyiv in the next 50 days. 'Tariffs at about 100% — you'd call them secondary tariffs,' Trump said without providing details. Secondary tariffs would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy — potentially including nations that rely on Russia for oil and natural gas. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that Trump was actually referring to economic sanctions, rather than tariffs. Separately, some Republicans close to Trump, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, are promoting a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia that is working its way through Congress. Trump said Monday that 'I'm not sure we need it' given his threat for economic consequences if the fighting continues. But, he added, 'it could be very useful, we'll have to see.' An emboldened Russia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine, seeking an advantage before the fighting season wanes in the fall. Advertisement Trump's 50-day deadline will allow Kremlin forces to further expand into the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk, the capture of which would hand them a major battlefield victory and bring them closer to acquiring the entire Donetsk region. Russia's forces also have been pushing into Ukraine's northern Sumy region, where Putin hopes to create a 'buffer zone' to protect Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions and defend against the possibility of surprise Ukrainian incursions. Why has Trump changed his tone toward Putin? Trump long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, repeatedly asserting that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. At the same time, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a 'dictator without elections.' But Russia's relentless onslaught on civilian areas of Ukraine has worn down Trump's patience. In April, he urged Putin to 'STOP!' launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month he said in a social media post that the Russian leader 'has gone absolutely CRAZY!' Trump said Monday that he remains in frequent contact with Putin but questioned how much those talks have gotten him. 'My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,' Trump said.
