While our armed forces are still systematically demolishing Iran's capacity to make war, China has entered the chat. The People's Republic is now reportedly sending a special envoy to the Middle East, supposedly to help remediate an end to the ongoing conflict.
China will send a special envoy to the Middle East for mediation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Saudi Arabian and UAE counterparts on Wednesday according to statements from his ministry, as conflict in the region continued to escalate.
China appreciates Saudi Arabia's restraint and insistence on resolving differences through peaceful means, Wang was quoted as saying in a phone call with the Saudi minister by the Chinese ministry.
The Saudis have suffered from Iran's unwarranted attention, but their restraint may be due, at least in part, to the sky over Iran already being full of American and Israeli aircraft, who are doing pretty well at taking the theocratic regime apart, piece by piece.
China is now, suddenly, concerned about civilians.
In a separate phone call with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Wang said the "red line" of protecting civilians in conflicts must not be crossed, and that non-military targets, including those involving energy, should not be attacked. He also called for protecting the safety of shipping routes.
The Uyghurs and Tibet would like a word. But here's the real interesting nugget from the Chinese Foreign Minister's comments:
The news agency also quoted Wang telling Israel’s foreign minister Wednesday that China opposes the joint U.S. and Israel military action against Iran and that it must be halted immediately.
"Force cannot truly solve problems; instead, it often creates new ones and leaves serious long-term consequences. The real value of military power lies not on the battlefield but in preventing war,” he said.
Actually, force can solve some problems, and very nicely, at that; just ask any of the former Axis powers of World War 2. Some problems can only be solved by force, and Iran is one of those problems. You cannot, after all, negotiate in good faith with a liar.
Read More: CCP-Linked Activist Network Targets Palantir As Beijing’s Influence Machine Hits U.S. Soil
The Energy Squeeze China's in Over Operation Epic Fury Is Just a Foretaste of What Is Yet to Come
Here's the onion: Iran is still dependent on oil exports to maintain what's left of their economy. Their #1 customer is, of course, China. China buys around 90 percent of Iran's exported oil.
Iran earned $35.76 billion from oil exports in 2024, though much of that trade reflects geopolitical alignment as much as market demand.
China took the lion’s share, accounting for over 90% of exports, or $32.5 billion. As other countries reduced imports under international sanctions, China continued buying Iranian crude at scale, cementing its role as Tehran’s primary energy partner.
It seems likely that any new, free, Democratic Iran won't be as anxious to sell oil to China, at least not the overwhelming majority of their production. And we can assume that an Iran free of the mullahs, once more a member in good standing of the international community, would quickly start to "drill, baby, drill," as they will want that oil revenue to help with the rebuilding of their nation.
And what's more, they will be selling that oil to the highest bidder. That may put quite a crimp in the Chinese economy. No wonder they want to talk.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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