Iran’s Military Ties with China and Russia Tested by U.S. Strikes

Recent U.S. And Israeli military actions against Iran have exposed limitations in the support Tehran can expect from its key partners, China and Russia. Despite deepening security cooperation through organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, Moscow and Beijing have been hesitant to offer substantial assistance to Iran following the strikes, prioritizing their own economic and geopolitical interests.

Moscow’s Cautious Response

The U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, beginning on February 28, caught Moscow off guard. While Russian officials publicly condemned the attacks as “aggression,” they refrained from providing material support to Tehran, despite a Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in January 2025 Russian Foreign Ministry. Russia’s existing deliveries of air defense systems to Iran proved insufficient to counter the attacks and the Kremlin is constrained by its own growing need for weaponry due to the war in Ukraine Meduza.

SCO and BRICS: Limited Leverage

Notably, Russia did not invoke the SCO or BRICS frameworks in its response. Iran joined the SCO in July 2023 and BRICS in January 2024, signaling a closer alignment with China and Russia. However, Moscow’s silence on these partnerships during the crisis underscores their limitations as vehicles for immediate, concrete support. The SCO hosted the “Sahand-Anti-Terror” military exercise in December 2025 Vpoanalytics, but this did not translate into a stronger response to the recent attacks.

China’s Balancing Act

China, while avoiding direct condemnation of the U.S. And Israel, has expressed “deep concern” and offered rhetorical backing for Iran’s position. However, Beijing remains wary of actions that could disrupt oil flows or be perceived as overly supportive of Iran’s regional activities, including its nuclear program MERICS. China’s priority is to avoid escalating tensions in the Middle East and protect its economic interests.

Impact on U.S.-Russia Relations

The crisis may further complicate already strained U.S.-Russia talks over Ukraine. The timing of the strikes, coinciding with ongoing negotiations, has raised suspicions in Moscow, with some Russian officials suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine trust Kommersant. The possibility of resuming talks in Abu Dhabi is now uncertain.

Economic Concerns and Oil Prices

Moscow is particularly concerned about the impact of the conflict on global oil prices. Russia’s economy, already weakened by sanctions and the costs of the war in Ukraine, relies heavily on oil export revenues Izvestiya. An increase in oil prices could provide some relief, but this is likely to be temporary.

Putin’s Personal Security Concerns

The targeting of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has as well raised personal security concerns for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin reportedly fears a similar “decapitating” strike against his own leadership Meduza, reinforcing his authoritarian tendencies and potentially hindering efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine.

Iran Seeks Deeper Ties within the SCO

Despite the limited support received, Iran continues to seek closer ties with China and Russia through the SCO. Iran’s defense minister recently attended a security summit in Qingdao, China, signaling Tehran’s determination to deepen its relationships with powers outside the Western alliance Newsweek.

The situation highlights Russia’s constrained ability to act as a reliable protector of its partners, exposing its vulnerabilities and weakening its negotiating position on other fronts.