China and Iran in Close Dialogue: New Diplomacy Under US Pressure

While the US and Europe threaten Iran with new economic sanctions, China is taking a different approach. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu spoke this weekend with his Iranian counterpart, Kazem Gharibabadi. In the conversation, Ma emphasized that China “will continue to play a constructive role” and urged all parties to resume negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran has been under increasing pressure since the Trump administration withdrew the US from the JCPOA nuclear agreement in 2018. Since then, Washington has reinstated and expanded a series of sanctions—most recently against 13 companies and eight oil tankers suspected of being involved in illicit oil trade.

China: Peacemaker or Oil Partner?

China’s message is clear: diplomacy over pressure. But underneath the diplomatic surface, geopolitical and economic interests are also at play. China is one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil and has repeatedly been targeted by US sanctions because of it.

“Iran is willing to strengthen cooperation with China,” Gharibabadi said in the Chinese statement. This underscores a growing relationship between the two countries, both of which have an interest in resisting American dominance.

The West Increases the Pressure

France, the UK, and Germany have recently threatened to trigger the UN’s so-called “snapback mechanism,” which could reintroduce sanctions if Iran does not return to the negotiating table. A new round of talks between Iran and European countries is expected this week.

Meanwhile, China seems to be pursuing its classic role as a balancing power in the Middle East. This approach can boost Beijing’s international profile—and ensure access to energy in an increasingly fragmented world order.

The diplomatic contest over Iran is not just about uranium and centrifuges. To a large extent, it’s also about who will shape the future of the region.

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