Israel-Iran conflict: China may ‘strike us' through proxies after Iran setback, Gordon Chang warns
China may 'strike us' through proxies after Iran setback, Gordon Chang warns
In the wake of Israel's sweeping military strikes on Iran, foreign policy analysts suggest that China may be the conflict's biggest geopolitical loser.
'Iran being set back on its heels by Israel means nothing is off the table for China and its military advances,' said Gordon Chang, senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, in an interview on Fox Business Network's Varney & Co on Friday.
According to Chang, Iran has long served as a vehicle for China's foreign policy goals in the Middle East. 'The Chinese… they're losing their proxy, Iran. Iran has been accomplishing China's foreign policy goals for quite some time. And China's Middle East policy is now in disarray,' he stated.
The comments came after the Israel defense forces launched Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale assault targeting Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Explosions were reported in Tehran overnight Friday, as Israel responded to months of failed nuclear negotiations. A nationwide state of emergency has been declared in Israel in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.
Chang warned that China may not quietly accept the blow to its regional ambitions. 'This is a point where China is suffering a terrible loss in the Middle East,' he said. 'It is not going to take that lying down, and it's probably going to get Iran or some other party to strike us.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
China's support for Iran has been extensive, particularly through oil and weapons trade. 'China was supporting the attacks on Israel across the board with elevated commodity purchases,' Chang explained. 'Remember, China has taken more than 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, but also provided weapons support.'
He added that Chinese-made arms are widespread among Iran-backed militias. 'Hamas, Houthi militia, Hezbollah, all of them have large quantities of Chinese weapons.
Iran's weapons are made with China's computer chips,' he noted.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump weighed in on the conflict via Truth Social, warning that Israel's next round of strikes could be 'even more brutal' if Iran does not return to the negotiating table over its nuclear program. 'There has already been great death and destruction,' Trump said, 'but there is still time to make this slaughter… come to an end.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 minutes ago
- Time of India
U.S.' B-2 Bombers Air-drop GBU-57 Bombs On Iran's Nuclear Facilities
The U.S. has officially entered the Israel-Iran conflict. Donald Trump announced that U.S.' B-2 bombers carried out a very successful strike on Iran's nuclear facilities - Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow. He said that multiple GBU-57 bombs were dropped on Fordow, which is an underground site. Trump added that all places had returned home safely after the strikes. Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for the strikes and said they will change history. Read More
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
'You started it, we will end it': Iran media warns Donald Trump after strikes on nuclear sites; airs map of US military bases in Middle East
(Photo: X) Iranian State TV aired a bold warning to US President Donald Trump , displaying a map of US military bases in the Middle East alongside the message: 'Mr. Trump, you started it, and we will end it.' The message comes as tensions soar following Trump's confirmation that the US military carried out strikes on three of Iran's major nuclear sites. — bennyjohnson (@bennyjohnson) In a post on his Truth Social account early Sunday morning local time, Trump said, 'We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.' He added, 'There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!' The president is expected to deliver a televised address at 10pm ET. The strikes signal a major shift in US policy, as Trump has now committed American military power to support Israel's ongoing operations against Iran. The Israeli government had already spent more than a week targeting Iran's air defences and missile systems before the US joined in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia and Memory Issues Have Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? gofitlifeguide Click Here Undo The White House confirmed that Israel was informed in advance of the US attack. A US official told Reuters that B-2 stealth bombers were used to hit the targets. These bombers are capable of carrying 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs, making them suitable for deep underground sites like Fordow. Although Trump had earlier said he would decide within two weeks whether to act, preparations for military action intensified over the weekend. According to NBC News, he is not currently planning additional strikes inside Iran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had also warned that it would be bad if the US got involved in the conflict with Israel.
News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
Netanyahu Lauds Trump's 'Bold Decision' To Attack Iran's Nuclear Sites: 'Peace Through Strength'
Trump and Netanyahu also spoke briefly after the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, as reports indicate the US had informed Israel of the strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated US President Donald Trump for taking a 'bold decision" to strike Iran's nuclear sites, saying America has done what no other country could do – deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES 'Congratulations, President Trump, your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," he said in a video on X. Trump on Saturday said the American military had carried out a ' very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the crucial underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, marking a major escalation in the West Asian conflict. 'In tonight's action against Iran's nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on Earth could do. History will recall that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime, the world's most dangerous weapons," Netanyahu said. He said Trump's action will lead the Middle East to a future of peace and prosperity. 'President Trump and I often say: 'Peace through strength.' First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength." Trump Speaks To Netanyahu As per Israeli estimates, the US strikes caused significant damage to Iranian nuclear facilities. Israel raised its alert level, permitting only essential activities until further notice, the military announced on Sunday after US strikes on Iran. An increased security presence was reported around the US embassy in Iraq, which had earlier asked Iran not to target US bases as the conflict escalated. Meanwhile, Trump told Reuters in a brief phone call that Iran should 'stop immediately, otherwise they'll get hit again." Iran's atomic energy organisation condemned the US attacks on key nuclear sites as 'barbaric" and in violation of international law. 'At dawn today, the country's nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan were attacked by the enemies of Islamic Iran in a barbaric act that violates international law," the organisation said in a statement published on state media. (with agency inputs) First Published: June 22, 2025, 07:25 IST
