Iran and China Challenge US as Alliance Grows
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit alongside key partners including Russia, marking a significant moment in Tehran's growing alliance with Beijing following its recent conflict with Israel.
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.
Why It Matters
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.
In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a meeting with Tehran-based foreign diplomats, Iran, Saturday, July 12, 2025.
In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a meeting with Tehran-based foreign diplomats, Iran, Saturday, July 12, 2025.
Hamid Forootan/AP Photo
What To Know
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.
Defence Systems
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.
SCO Challenge
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.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, center, leads other heads of defense including Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, right, and Iran Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, left, after a group photo ahead of the Defense Ministers' Meeting...
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, center, leads other heads of defense including Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, right, and Iran Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, left, after a group photo ahead of the Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Members States in Qingdao, eastern China's Shandong province on Thursday, June 26, 2025. More
Ng Han Guan/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
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."
What Happens Next
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.
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