ExclusiveCHINA AND THE AMBITION TO CULTIVATE A PROXY MILITARY IN IRAN

The shift in the global geopolitical order over recent decades has witnessed an increasingly tightening symbiosis between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran. From opportunistic arms transactions in the 1980s, this relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, bolstered by long-term agreements and mutual dependence on energy and military technology. Amidst the West’s "maximum pressure" campaigns, Beijing has served not only as the ultimate market for Tehran’s oil but also as a vital source of raw materials, dual-use technologies, and advanced defense systems that enable Iran to maintain its strategic deterrence. By 2026, Chinese support for Iran has transcended mere commercial trade, becoming a cornerstone of a grand strategy designed to challenge U.S. hegemony in the Middle East while harvesting real-world military data for potential conflict scenarios in the Asia-Pacific.

1:09 I. The Historical Progression of Military Support and Technology Transfer (1990 – 2010)
3:54 II. The JCPOA and the Ballistic Missile "Loophole" (2015 – 2023)
6:19 III. Impact of the "Maximum Pressure" Campaign and Nuclear Consequences (2018 – 2026)
8:00 IV. The 25-Year Strategic Cooperation Agreement: A Framework for Deep Engagement (2021 – 2026)
9:45 V. Provision of Raw Materials and Resources for Ballistic Missile and UAV Production (2020 – 2026)
12:39 VI. Advanced Weapon Systems and Strategic Guidance Technology
13:47 VII. Investment and Economic Cooperation: Mutual Interests and Interdependence (2021 – 2026)
15:50 VIII. The 2026 Conflict: Impact on Weapon Production and Nuclear Capacity
16:51 IX. Assessment of Strategic Attrition for China