Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position or policy of ADV or the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS).
On February 28, 2026, when the US and Israeli jets struck Iran’s land targets, killing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, it ignited a critical conflict (MFA Islamic Republic of Iran, 2026). While the World watched missiles fly and oil prices spike, Beijing issued a single, measured statement: it expressed “grave concern” over the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and called for an immediate ceasefire: no troops, no sanctions, no grand rhetoric — just quiet, consistent diplomatic engagement (MFA PRC, 2026).
Initially, the Iranians viewed war as a matter of their perpetual survival; after all, it is rooted in their civilizational prestige. Iran has clearly spelled out their territorial sovereignty by counterattacking the US and other Western bases in the Persian Gulf Region (CNN, 2026). This war is not fought only on the basis of military arsenals; it is fought through maritime blockade, halting the flow of economic goods. Iran is sitting at the doorway of the Strait of Hormuz, where 25% of the World’s seaborne oil trade, 20% of global LNG export, and 34% of global crude oil transshipment happen through this strait (Snibbe, 2026). Given the geostrategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global oil trade and Iran’s geographical location, Iran has control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, backed by Yemen’s Houthis rebels. The Houthis have threatened to block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait if Israel does not stop pursuing its goal of Greater Israel, as it goes well with their ideological imagination of the Gulf (The Times of India, 2026). Needless to say, Iran’s partial blockade has triggered an energy crisis in many countries, such as India, Pakistan, East Asian, and Southeast Asian countries. But Russian and Chinese tankers are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that China and Russia are strategically involved in the West Asia crisis.
Beijing’s Strategic Realignment
The US-Israel and Iran war has strengthened China’s influence in the Region by its strategic move in response to the US military escalation. While the US followed an aggressive strike, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concern over the US-Israeli strikes against Iran and called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all sides to avoid escalation and to resume secret diplomatic mediation, sending special envoys and conducting secret negotiations through Oman and France instead of direct military intervention (The Economic Times, 2026). Iran established complete operations of the Chinese BeiDou-3 system through its transition from US-GPS in early 2026, which forms part of China’s Digital Silk Road network. Furthermore, Beijing has provided HQ-9B air defence system (surface-to-air missile systems) (The Times of India, 2026), offensive attack drones, and sodium perchlorate for solid rocket propellant, sufficient to fuel hundreds of ballistic missiles (Montagu-Smith, 2026). Its advanced anti-stealth radars, such as the YLC-8B (UHF-band), are designed to detect and track US stealth aircraft like the F-35 and F-22 by overcoming radar-absorbent materials. Beijing got the battlefield to testify to its all-technologically advanced war equipment in this war. In 2025, China imported 1.4 million barrels of Iranian crude oil per day, which accounted for 13% of its total oil imports and 80% of Iran’s exports. The shadow tanker networks maintained their operations to deliver cheap oil even when disruption happened in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has increased Iran’s economic and diplomatic dependence on China, too, as Tehran heavily relies on Beijing’s export and infrastructure support. This war will be beneficial for Beijing to receive Iran’s post-conflict reconstruction contracts in Iran through its BRI projects, and discounted Iranian oil will remain available for export.
Behind the scenes, Iran gets backing from a coordinated network of state and non-state actors. At the same time, Russia provides crucial diplomatic cover at the UN and participates in joint naval exercises in the western Indian Ocean alongside China, Iran, and Pakistan. As a result, the US had to move its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, from the Gulf of Oman to the central Indian Ocean. Furthermore, North Korea supplies missiles and drones in exchange for Iranian technology and cash. On the other side, the Houthis in Yemen operate as Iran’s Red Sea military force by controlling access to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, while Hezbollah protects Israel’s northern boundary, and Syria functions as a critical supply route. Venezuela and Cuba provide political support and rhetorical support at the UN. It clearly shows that the US is losing its dominance in the Region while China is gaining prominence.
Shifting power in the Gulf region: China’s rising prominence
This West Asia war shows China’s transition from a Middle power to a Great Power. The shifts that we observe today have been proven by their rare-earth minerals and technological advancement in warfare. The US requires China to supply 70% of its rare-earth materials and 94% of its permanent magnets. Although the US has launched the Pax Silica initiative in December 2025, it serves as an AI-based response to China’s Digital Silk Road. While Pax Silica is in its nascent stage, Beijing’s BRI has been developed for more than a decade. The PLA’s focus on virtual domains gives Beijing asymmetric leverage it quietly extends to partners. China sees the current crisis as a major opportunity to maintain its Eurasian energy flow through strengthening its BRI corridors. The 2026 Iran crisis has not weakened China but has reestablished its growing prominence, as it has demonstrated responsible Global power through its economic might and technological foresight. In this multipolar world order, China has shown patient statecraft and unbreakable partnerships. The Global South has noticed: when Washington escalates, China stabilizes; when the old order fractures, the new centre holds. Beijing has achieved complete control over the international trade routes of Hormuz for its own trade flow. It positioned China as the undisputed leader of the Global South without firing a shot.
Dr. Sanghamitra Mallick is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at BITS Pilani K.K Birla Goa Campus. Formerly Chair and Vice-Chair Asia-Oceania Student Research Committee (AOSRC), International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS)
References
CNN. (2026, March 1). How the US-Israeli strikes on Iran unfolded and the aftermath, moment by moment. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-attack-02-28-26-hnk-intl
MFA PRC. (2026, March 01). Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on the Killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Retrieved from www.fmprc.gov.cn: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202603/t20260301_11866722.html
Ministry of Forreign Affairs Islamic Republic of Iran. (2026). Statement on the Martyrdom of the Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Khamenei. Ministry of Forreign Affairs. Retrieved from https://en.mfa.gov.ir/portal/NewsView/784042
Montagu-Smith, N. (2026, March 11). Could Iran be using China’s highly accurate BeiDou navigation system? Aljazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/11/could-iran-be-using-chinas-highly-accurate-beidou-navigation-system
Snibbe, K. (2026, April 18). Here’s the share of global trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Orange Country Register. Retrieved from https://www.ocregister.com/2026/04/18/heres-the-share-of-global-trade-passing-through-the-strait-of-hormuz/
The Economic Times. (2026, March 01). China urges immediate ceasefire after US, Israel strike Iran. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-urges-immediate-ceasefire-after-us-israel-strike-iran/articleshow/128903432.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
The Times of India. (2026, March 01). Did China’s HQ-9B Fail Iran? Big-questions After US Israel Strikes. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/did-chinas-hq-9b-fail-iran-big-questions-after-us-israel-strikes/articleshow/128914854.cms
The Times of India. (2026, April 19). No Force Can Reopen It; Houthis Threaten Bab al-Mandab Closure After Iran Shuts Hormuz. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/no-force-can-reopen-it-houthis-threaten-bab-al-mandeb-closure-after-iran-shuts-hormuz/articleshow/130367491.cms
