Israel calls upon China to exert influence on Iran concerning its military and nuclear escalations
In a recent development, Ravit Baer, Israel's Consul General in Shanghai, has highlighted China's significant influence on Iran due to the latter's strong economic dependence on oil imports. China, as the world's largest oil importer and Iran's key economic partner, could potentially hinder or even halt Iran's aspirations by reducing its purchases or imposing political demands.
Israel, with growing concerns about Iran's regional activities, particularly its support for armed organisations and pursuit of advanced nuclear capabilities, has called on China to use its economic power to curb Iran's growing military and nuclear ambitions. However, China has not publicly responded to this invitation.
China's current stance on Iran's oil imports is one of significant reliance and strategic procurement. In 2025, China surged its imports of Iranian crude oil to record levels, reaching averages of 1.8 million barrels per day in June 2025. This marked a pivotal shift as it came in the wake of a June 2025 U.S. policy change that allowed China to continue buying Iranian oil, reversing the previous “maximum pressure” sanctions regime, although formal sanctions technically remain in place.
The sustained Chinese purchase of Iranian oil provides Tehran with crucial revenue, enabling it to fund its nuclear program, expand its sophisticated ballistic missile capabilities, and support its regional proxies, including terrorist groups. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has actively targeted Chinese entities and networks that facilitate Iran’s oil sales and sanctions evasion, yet China continues its engagement, motivated by its national interests.
China's role extends beyond oil purchases. Historically and currently, China supports Iran's ballistic missile programs by supplying critical materials, including precursors for missile propellant, despite U.S. sanctions meant to curb this cooperation. For example, in early 2025, Chinese shipments of sodium perchlorate—a key precursor for solid rocket propellant—arrived in Iran, supporting Tehran’s missile capabilities.
Despite Washington's diplomatic efforts and sanctions pressure aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, China has not extended direct military support to Iran following Israeli strikes in June 2025. Instead, China appears focused on its economic and strategic interests, continuing to acquire Iranian oil while avoiding overt military involvement.
Beijing has shown interest in promoting peace, as indicated by its recent mediation efforts between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However, the balance of power may depend less on military alliances and more on those who control the money. The international community, including Israel, is hoping that China, with its economic might, can play a role as a mediator or a restraining force in the ongoing tensions with Iran.
International discussions on Iran's nuclear program are at a standstill, and the United States is hesitant to resume diplomatic talks without concessions. Iran is accused of supplying weapons to proxy groups in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The appeal to China is part of a broader campaign to exert international pressure on Iran.
In summary, China continues to import large volumes of Iranian oil, providing Tehran with crucial revenue that supports its military and nuclear ambitions. China's position reflects a strategic choice to counter U.S. influence rather than fully align with Israel's diplomatic appeals to isolate Iran militarily. China avoids direct military involvement in Iranian conflicts, even as it supports Iran economically and indirectly bolsters its defense capabilities. This dynamic underscores the complex geopolitical interplay where China balances sanctions evasion and energy security against international diplomatic pressures in a volatile regional environment.
- In light of Iran's militaristic activities and nuclear aspirations, Israel has requested China, the world's largest oil importer, to leverage its economic power to curb Iran's military and nuclear ambitions, as demonstrated by China's significant oil imports from Iran.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts and political tensions between Iran and other nations have led to policy-and-legislation discussions, with Israel and the international community appealing to China's role in general-news discourse, hoping that China can use its economic influence as a mediator or a restraining force, balancing its economic interests with the need for policy-and-legislation actions that could potentially resolve some of these conflicts.
