https://www.perplexity.ai/page/china-russia-condemn-iran-stri-yzCGHY6xSdmFKGC7aYlZPw

As the US-Israeli military action against Iran enters its sixth day, China and Russia, while expressing strong diplomatic condemnation, have not shown any willingness to directly intervene and assist Tehran. This leaves the struggling Iranian regime unable to obtain the major power military support it has long sought.

Published
March 6, 2026
fmprc.gov
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on March 2, 2026
aljazeera.com (Website Illustration)
aljazeera
Russia, China raise diplomatic voices against US-Israeli attacks on Iran
aljazeera.com Diplomatic Anger, Strategic Restraint

Beijing and Moscow swiftly condemned the airstrikes that began on February 28. These airstrikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeted military facilities, command centers, and nuclear facilities throughout Iran. The Russian Foreign Ministry called the attack a “deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state.” With the support of Russia and China, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the day the airstrikes began.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that the airstrikes undermined what Beijing considered promising diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran, stating that “force cannot effectively solve problems; on the contrary, it often creates new challenges.” At a press conference on March 2, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the airstrikes were “unauthorized by the UN Security Council and violated international law,” but notably, she avoided answering direct questions about whether China and Russia were considering providing military support to Iran.

(Image from aljazeera.com) (Image from en.wikipedia.org) (4 sources) (Treaty relationship but no military obligations) (Despite the deepening relations among the three countries, the restraint shown by all parties remains significant.) Russia and Iran signed a 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in January 2025, but according to New Statesman, Russian officials emphasized at the time that the treaty “does not constitute a military alliance, nor is it a commitment to provide mutual military assistance.” As for China, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, China is Iran’s largest oil customer, purchasing approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, and signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement with Tehran in 2021.

However, neither agreement involves an obligation to intervene militarily. According to an analysis by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, “it’s hard to imagine Russian troops defending the Iranian regime on the ground,” especially given Moscow’s full commitment to the war in Ukraine. Russia followed a similar pattern during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025—providing verbal support without taking direct military action.

[Image from newstatesman.com] [Image from middleeasteye.net]

3 Sources: Indirect Support and Strategic Considerations The reality is more complex than it appears. Middle East Eye reported before the airstrikes that China had delivered loitering munitions to Iran and was discussing the sale of CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles, although Beijing officially denied the missile deal. Meanwhile, Russia has provided Iran with Verba man-portable air defense systems, Yak-130 trainer aircraft, and Mi-28 attack helicopters in recent years.

Analysts believe that both China and Russia are calculating that a diplomatic approach, rather than a risky direct confrontation with Washington, is more effective in protecting their interests. CNN reported that analysts believe “Beijing will speak out at the UN but will avoid providing any significant support to Tehran,” with China prioritizing the protection of its economic and energy interests in any regional order that emerges after the conflict. At the same time, the US’s prolonged military operations in the Middle East could divert US resources and attention from Ukraine, which would benefit Russia.