Iranian Defense Minister expresses gratitude to China for backing received during initial overseas visit since Israel clash.
In the aftermath of a high-stakes, 12-day tussle with Israel, Iran's Defense Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, embarked on his inaugural foreign excursion, making China his destination. This visit comes as China assumes the reins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional security grouping spearheaded by China and Russia that's been gaining prominence as an alternative to international blocs backed by the United States.
The SCO assembly, which took place in the coastal city of Qingdao, commenced a day after a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Iran, halting the spiraling series of aerial skirmishes that had been punctuated by a U.S. strike against three Iranian nuclear facilities. The meeting of NATO leaders at The Hague occurred simultaneously, with America's President Donald Trump suggesting a meeting with Iran "next week" regarding a potential nuclear agreement.
China's Defense Minister, Dong Jun, addressed the international gathering, positioning China as a nation advocating for an alternative global security vision. Dong critiqued the rise of unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying tactics that threaten international order. This rhetoric is reminiscent of the language Beijing typically uses to criticize the United States.
Dong urged SCO countries – comprising China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus – to intensify cooperation, uphold international fairness, and maintain global strategic stability. Attending countries demonstrated a strong desire to enhance military collaboration, according to China's official news agency, Xinhua.
Iran's Nasirzadeh expressed gratitude to China for its understanding and support of Iran's stance during the conflict. He noted his hope that China would continue to champion justice and take on a more active role in preserving the current ceasefire and alleviating regional tensions.
Chinese officials have openly denounced Israel's June 13 attack on Iran, which claimed the lives of top military leaders and sparked the conflict, as well as the subsequent American bombing. China has expressed its disapproval of Washington's involvement in the conflict, associating the U.S. action as a "heavy blow to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime."
China remains Iran's most significant energy buyer, although it hasn't reported purchases of Iranian oil in its official customs data since 2022, as per analysts. Chinese-manufactured chemicals crucial for producing missile fuel have recently been transported to Iran, according to CNN's reporting.
Though China has yet to express intentions of becoming further embroiled in the conflict beyond diplomatic efforts, analysts suggest that the situation presents another opportunity for China to portray itself as a responsible global player and the U.S. as a force instigating chaos. In response to questions about providing military aid to Iran as an SCO member, Zhang Xiaogang, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, stated that China is willing to collaborate with all parties to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
The SCO, initially established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to combat terrorism and secure borders, has expanded in recent years in alignment with Russia and China's joint ambition to counter the perceived suppression from a U.S. alliance system. Although not an official alliance, the SCO aspires to "make joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security, and stability in the region."
The Qingdao meeting marked the first visit from an Indian defense chief to China since the deadly 2020 border clash between the two nations. Despite the lingering discord, the SCO gathering did not adopt a joint statement due to disagreements over the definition of terrorism, underscoring ongoing frictions between members.
World leaders from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), including China, discussed global politics and general news during the SCO assembly in Qingdao. Iran's Defense Minister, Nasirzadeh, expressed his thanks to China for their support and hoped China would continue advocating for justice to preserve the current ceasefire and alleviate regional tensions, particularly with Israel.
