After the ceasefire in the conflict between Iran and Israel, both sides did not reignite the war. It is evident that Israel has indeed suffered a significant setback, otherwise, according to its usual practices, it would have launched new attacks during the ceasefire. Israel has been quiet, but Iran has not been idle; Iranian scholars have begun to reflect on Sino-Iranian relations.

Mazaheri

Recently, Iranian scholar Mazaheri published an article on social media analyzing Sino-Iranian relations. In his article, he raised a question: why did the United States directly help Israel during the Iran-Israel conflict, while China and Russia did not directly assist Iran until the end of the war?

Mazaheri admitted that China had helped Iran many times before, but those were long ago. In recent years, China's direct assistance to Iran has actually not been much or deep. Mazaheri explained this with examples.

For example, in 2024, China's trade with Iran accounted for only 0.02% of China's total trade, far from reaching 1%. However, Iran exports 90% of its oil to China, and almost half of the ships transporting goods through the Strait of Hormuz are carrying oil to China.

Mazaheri's article

Editorial of Mazaheri's article

China's investment in Africa far exceeds that in Iran. In 2024, the total trade volume between China and Africa reached $295.6 billion, with China importing $116.8 billion from Africa. From 2013 to 2023, Chinese enterprises undertook over $800 billion in engineering contracts in Africa, completing over $500 billion in turnover. In just ten years, China built a large number of infrastructure projects in areas such as transportation, power, communications, and water conservancy in Africa, improving the local society of Africa.

China's investment in Pakistan also exceeds that in Iran. In 2023, China provided Pakistan with $13 billion in aid, and in 2025, it exceeded $34 billion. As of May this year, China had invested $62 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In terms of weapons aid, China is also generous. Recently, China provided Pakistan with the Z-10ME attack helicopter. China also provided Pakistan with the FC-1 "Jianglong", J-10CE, and PL-15E missiles. The navy also provided Pakistan with the 054A frigate.

China's investment in Iran is much less. Large enterprises are unwilling to invest in factories in Iran, and only small-scale, non-governmental institutions engage in trade. The strength is far less than that in Africa and Pakistan. This is even more evident in weapon aid. During the most intense phase of the Iran-Israel conflict, China did not directly provide Iran with advanced weapons to strike Israel. Throughout the entire conflict, Iran was fighting against the United States and Israel alone.

China's export of Z-10ME to Pakistan

Z-10ME painted in Pakistan

Mazaheri believes that Iran has economic and military dependence on China, but China's global strategy prioritizes regional stability and economic interests rather than strategic balance. In simple terms, China's foreign relations focus more on economic interests, and geopolitical conflicts and balances are not considered. Iran's dependence on China cannot bring direct help, and Iran's expectations of receiving deeper political or military support from China are unrealistic.

Mazaheri concludes that Iran must implement a diversified foreign policy, reduce reliance on any single major power, and better integrate into China's economic value chain, promoting Iran's development through economic development with China. In this regard, Iran can look to Africa. If China could invest in Iran as it does in Africa, Iran would become more developed.

The Rwandan army trained by China has become very strong

Rwanda, which has been supported by China, has become a modern country

How to understand what Iranian scholar Mazaheri said? Mazaheri has three points:

First, Iran cannot rely on China's help in the military; China will not help Iran as it does Pakistan. Second, China will not participate in local conflicts, will not take sides, and will not defend any country. Third, Iran's foreign policy can be adjusted as follows: relying on countries like Russia in the military, and relying on China in the economy, using China's economy to develop itself, while achieving a diversified diplomacy.

Iran at the crossroads should reflect carefully

In fact, Mazaheri only saw one side of the problem. Mazaheri should reflect on why China invests more and provides more support to Africa and Pakistan? In fact, Iran's attitude towards China's investment and aid has been inconsistent, and its "middle-of-the-road" approach in politics and military affairs is the real reason why China cannot provide deep assistance to Iran.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7534559533633503744/

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