China Reported to Begin Shifting Financial and Military Support to Iran
The Chinese government is reportedly starting to shift its position by providing more tangible support to Iran through financial assistance, spare parts, and missile components, according to CNN in a report released on Friday, 6 March, citing three people briefed on the matter. To date, Beijing has largely steered clear of direct involvement in the confrontation between Iran and the US-Israel coalition. However, US officials are closely watching signs of a shift in Chinese policy. As Iran’s largest customer for crude oil, China has a major stake in the region. Intelligence sources say Beijing remains cautious about extending support, given that open conflict could threaten its national energy security. At the same time, Beijing has urged Tehran to guarantee the safe navigation of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz for China’s trade interests. Beyond China, Russia is alleged to have shared satellite imagery and targeting intelligence with Iran, including data on movements of US forces. The CIA has declined to comment on the report. Security conditions on the ground have deteriorated since Iran’s drone attack in Kuwait last week that killed six US soldiers. Iran is reported to have launched thousands of attack drones and hundreds of missiles at military, diplomatic and civilian sites, while US and Israeli retaliation has hit more than 2,000 targets inside Iran. Escalation in the Middle East has reached a critical point following a major US-Israeli assault over the weekend. The operation reportedly killed more than 1,000 people, including several senior military officials and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Iran has responded by mass launching missiles and drones at US bases and several cities in Israel. The intensity of attacks on both sides continues to rise with no signs of de-escalation. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the UN Secretary-General for being more focused on the global economy than on civilians’ deaths, including 175 children in Minab. The tanker Prima was hit by an Iranian kamikaze drone in the Strait of Hormuz on 7 March after Iran ignored warnings from the IRGC amid an eight-day total blockade of global energy routes. A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll shows 56% of Americans oppose military action by Donald Trump against Iran amid acute divisions in Congress. President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran has urged Russia to back Iran’s legitimate rights at the international level in the wake of the US-Israeli strikes. Details of Tehran’s diplomacy and its legal arguments in the UN are being watched. Indonesia’s former vice-presidents Jusuf Kalla said Indonesia should take a firm stance on the Iran-related conflict, especially should the country become a party to the conflict. Iran has denied attacking the US embassy in Riyadh, while Turkish Prince Turki al-Faisal described the Iran-Israel conflict as a distraction from Israel’s alleged crimes in Palestine. Pezeshkian’s remarks come as neighbouring Arab states weigh their responses to Iranian missile attacks. Indonesia is set to host a mini FIFA Series 2026 tournament at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta from 27-30 March. The Iran conflict prompted the cancellation of 64 flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, with more than 8,000 passengers unable to travel due to airspace closures in the Middle East. CENTCOM has released footage related to attacks on ships in the Epic Fury operation. Copyright © 2026 Media Group - mediaindonesia. All Rights Reserved.