Why Iran remains too important for China to lose

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and China’s foreign minister Wang Yi China and Iran have maintained diplomatic ties for decades. Yet Beijing’s response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been notably measured: diplomatic support for Tehran, criticism of US and Israeli military actions, and repeated calls for de-escalation — but no indication of a willingness to intervene more forcefully. This cautious approach raises an important question: if Iran is such an important partner, why has China not done more to support it during the conflict? The answer lies in the nature of the relationship itself. While Beijing…