China caught between Iran and Gulf states as Tehran strikes across Middle East

In 2023, China mediated a peace deal between Riyadh and Tehran, but the ties are being tested as Iran targets sites in Saudi Arabia3-MIN READ3-MIN5 ListenPublished: 7:19pm, 4 Mar 2026Updated: 7:57pm, 4 Mar 2026As missiles fly throughout the Middle East, China is walking a diplomatic tightrope between strategic partner Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council states, with whom it has deep economic ties.Its strikes have also expanded beyond United States’ assets to include landmark buildings and airports, causing death and injury.00:38US President Donald Trump seeks to justify striking Iran amid shifting White House accountUS President Donald Trump seeks to justify striking Iran amid shifting White House accountObservers said the mutual economic reliance, driven by China’s energy needs and trade ties, prevented any radical diplomatic shifts from Beijing but risked raising long-term doubts among Gulf States about Beijing’s influence and commitment to the region.China has not offered Iran any concrete assistance other than diplomatic support so far. In his first round of whirlwind phone calls on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with counterparts from Iran, Russia, France and Oman.Iran on Tuesday denied reports that it carried out a military attack on Oman, describing the Gulf state as a “friend and neighbour”.Wang told Oman’s foreign minister that China supported Gulf nations in “safeguarding their sovereignty and national interests”, his ministry said. He warned that a “spillover of the war does not serve” Gulf States’ interests and urged them to “truly hold their future firmly in their own hands”.