The Iran-Israel war has sparked global fears of an all-out, large-scale regional war that could cause immeasurable damage to military apparatus, economic infrastructure, and civilian life.
The United States backs Israel. Washington has declared support for the Netanyahu-led government, but has thus far not launched a direct military assault on Tehran despite clear hints and heavy rumours.
The US and Israel may have pushed many of Iran’s historic regional allies aside. However, China may have come to Tehran’s aid, especially with a few Chinese cargo planes secretly arriving in the war-infested territory.
What are Chinese Cargo Planes Doing in Iran?
Since Israel’s initial assault on Iran on June 13, three Boeing 747 cargo planes have arrived in the Islamic Republic. The arriving aircraft are typically associated with the transportation of missiles, drones, and military equipment.
Another unusual characteristic of these flights is that they disappeared from the radar near Iranian territory, raising concerns that they may not be part of routine shipments to Tehran.
China has advocated for the de-escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, fearing that a war might send the region into an abyss. Beijing has also publicly condemned the Israeli government’s unprovoked actions.
During a phone call to their Egyptian counterpart on Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry stated:
“Israel’s acts of disregarding international law and international rules have caused the situation in the Middle East to suddenly become tense, and China is also deeply concerned that the situation may get out of control.”
Nonetheless, Beijing is one of Iran’s largest oil customers. It is estimated that 90% of Iranian oil is exported to China. Thus, the growing Western influence in the region is a threat to China’s economic rise. Hence, backing Iran during the ongoing conflict could oppose American power in the bloc.
Chinese Aid to Iran is Detrimental to America
The US President, Donald Trump, has assured his country that he would keep America out of war. The promise of American peace explains Washington’s ambiguous stance on attacking Iran during the ongoing war.
However, if China has entered the fray, America’s problems may go from bad to worse. First, Chinese intervention increases the likelihood of an all-out regional war, which would see Washington align with Israel to crush resistance.
Furthermore, the growing Chinese influence in the volatile Middle East region is another concern for the US. The Chinese Empire is rapidly expanding, which threatens America’s status as a global power.
In a bid to contain Chinese influence, Washington may increase its military presence in the Gulf states, creating more differences and controversy. Moreover, trade sanctions on non-compliant countries could also re-establish the US’s hold on the region.
The international powers, despite their vested interests, should aim to de-escalate the Iran-Israel conflict because a regional war will benefit no one and inflict irreparable damage.
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