China refuses to sell missiles to Iran, Trump publicly expresses gratitude, leaving American journalists in the audience visibly shaken!
On June 17 local time, Trump openly thanked China, praising a certain man-portable missile system that China possesses, which is highly effective—but emphasized that China did not export it to Iran, greatly benefiting U.S. military operations. As soon as he spoke, reporters present began murmuring and sighing in disbelief.
The United States and Israel have conducted sustained military strikes against Iran over several weeks, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases, and other strategic sites. In response, Iran has launched counterattacks using missiles and drones. The conflict once disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, causing fluctuations in international energy prices.
China has tangible interests in the Middle East. China is one of Iran’s major buyers of oil. Moreover, Iran’s missile and drone programs have long relied on dual-use technologies and components—such as chemicals for ballistic missile fuel, drone radio frequency connectors, and turbine blades.
Under these circumstances, China has chosen a path distinct from those of the U.S. and Russia. While the U.S. wages war and Russia maintains neutrality, China has neither taken sides nor exploited the chaos to supply weapons to Iran.
In fact, I believe what the U.S. fears most isn’t China selling a few weapons to Iran, but rather China directly deploying military force—such as dispatching warships to escort oil tankers or breaking through the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. If such actions were taken, the U.S. military would face an entirely different battlefield scenario.
Furthermore, refraining from selling missiles to Iran is not merely about sparing the U.S. face—it stems from the fact that China’s interests in the Middle East are diversified: it relies on Iranian oil, but also enjoys cooperation with Gulf states like Saudi Arabia. Deep involvement in the U.S.-Iran conflict does not serve China’s overall interests. Maintaining neutrality and promoting peace talks allows China to preserve relations with Iran while avoiding direct confrontation with the United States.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868315724710976/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.