Is China Facing Scrutiny Over Military Support to Iran After Its Backing of Pakistan?

Beijing, Aug 5 (NationPress) China, which has long asserted a "noninterference" foreign policy and refrained from providing direct military support to nations embroiled in conflict, allegedly supplied batteries for surface-to-air missiles to Iran in exchange for oil amid the recent tensions with Israel, according to a recent report. This development comes as Beijing is already under scrutiny for its supposed involvement in Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine and its support for Pakistan during its May dispute with India following the tragic April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

According to Linggong Kong, an expert in China’s grand strategy, “It is highly plausible that China would extend military support to Iran while publicly denying it.” This plausible deniability would enable Beijing to wield military influence and showcase its hardware while deflecting international criticism and maintaining diplomatic flexibility.

However, this tactic has limitations. As indirect evidence mounts, such covert actions could evolve into what scholars refer to as 'implausible deniability', where denial becomes increasingly unconvincing despite remaining officially upheld.

Contradicting Beijing's assertions of not supplying arms to any warring parties, the article emphasizes that while the Chinese Embassy in Israel denied military ties with Tehran, claiming that China opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to release an official statement regarding the alleged transfer.

The report also indicates that China has quietly bolstered Russia during its ongoing war with Ukraine, despite claiming neutrality since the conflict began in 2022.

According to the 'One World Outlook' report, China has reportedly supplied large quantities of dual-use goods capable of civilian and military applications to Russia, enhancing its offensive and defensive capabilities while boosting China’s military-industrial production. Furthermore, China has allegedly provided satellite imagery to assist Russia amid the war.

The report also noted that Beijing has positioned itself as a neutral entity in the India-Pakistan conflict, urging both sides to exercise restraint. “In practice, however, China aligns with Pakistan, providing direct military support to Lahore to counterbalance India’s regional influence and protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” it stated.

Additionally, China and Iran recently signed a comprehensive 25-year cooperation agreement covering trade, energy, and security, underlining the strategic significance Beijing places on Tehran.

From Beijing's viewpoint, Tehran serves as a counterbalance to the influence of the US and its allies—especially Israel and Saudi Arabia—within the region, diverting Western resources and attention away from China, the report concluded.