China-Iran Relations: Transactional or Strategic?

The United States is once again considering military strikes to curb Iran’s nuclear activities and missile program. China has emerged as a particularly important partner of Iran, serving as the country’s largest trade partner and one of its few sources of consistent diplomatic backing. For Beijing, the stakes in the relationship extend beyond energy security, but also include great power competition with the US and China’s broader strategic ambitions in the Middle East. There are reports that Iran is close to finalizing a deal to purchase supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China. 

To unpack China-Iran relations and these recent dynamics, we are joined today by Jonathan Fulton. Jonathan is a nonresident senior fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council and an associate professor of political science at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on China-GCC relations, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and Chinese foreign policy. 

This episode was recorded on February 26, 2026.  

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Introduction  
[01:33] China’s Interests in Iran and Possible Reactions 
[04:55] Challenges to Diversifying Oil Imports  
[09:40] Using Oil Purchases as Leverage with the US 
[10:59] Frictions in the China-Iran Relationship 
[12:41] Iran in China’s Middle East Strategy 
[16:00] Iran–China 25-year Cooperation Program  
[21:56] China-Russia Coordination in Iran Strategy 
[25:54] Tehran's Points of Leverage with Beijing and Moscow 
[29:14] Potential Disruptors to the China-Iran Relationship