China's Growing Military Partnership with Iran Over the Years
Explore the decades-long evolution of China's weapons transfers and military cooperation with Iran, and the geopolitical implications of this strategic alliance.
China's military relationship with Iran has evolved significantly over the past several decades, with Beijing steadily increasing its weapons transfers and defense cooperation with Tehran. This strategic alliance has major geopolitical implications, as China leverages its ties with Iran to counter Western influence in the Middle East and project power on the global stage.
Deepening Ties Since the 1980s
China's weapons sales to Iran date back to the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, when Beijing provided Tehran with various types of military equipment to help it fight against Saddam Hussein's forces. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, China continued to be a major supplier of arms to Iran, providing everything from missiles and aircraft to tanks and naval vessels.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}Source: The New York Times
