Is China Using Iran as a Proxy Against the U.S.?
China may be leveraging Iran's actions in the Middle East to advance its own strategic interests and counter U.S. influence, moving beyond passive observation to more active support. While not as overt as Western support for Ukraine, Beijing's diplomatic, economic, and indirect military backing of Iran undermines U.S. efforts and enhances China's regional standing. By positioning itself as a mediator and maintaining commercial ties with Iran, China strengthens its global image as a stabilizing power in contrast to the United States.
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Foreign Affairs Is China Using Iran as a Proxy Against the U.S.? Beijing looks like the biggest winner of America’s latest Mideast blunder. (Photo by Yan Yan/Xinhua via Getty Images) Ted Galen Carpenter Apr 30, 2026 12:03 AM Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... Leaders of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have cleverly exploited U.S. policy blunders throughout the international system for at least the past three decades to enhance Beijing’s influence and erode Washington’s. The Trump administration’s mishandling of relations with Iran affords China a new opportunity, and it may prove to be the most significant one yet. Indeed, the question arises whether Xi Jinping’s government is moving beyond passively taking advantage of chronic U.S.
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