New evidence has revealed a shadowy system of oil trade linking Iran, Russia, and China. Networks of brokers, shipowners, and offshore companies have built a pathway that allows sanctioned oil to reach Chinese buyers.

A CBS News investigation reveals that China is still secretly buying Iranian oil and evading U.S. sanctions by having the oil transferred from ship to ship in the middle of the sea.

Last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, highlighting Tehran's growing ties with Beijing. Around that time, reports from Middle East Eye and Israel Hayom indicated Iran received Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles paid for in oil.

Iran says it's working with Russia and China to block European efforts to reimpose sanctions tied to the 2015 nuclear deal.

China declined an opportunity to join Iran in its June 2025 confrontation with the United States and Israel. Though Beijing enjoys good relations with the Iranian regime, competing alignments and other considerations convinced PRC policymakers to adopt a low profile during the twelve-day war.

China and Russia are helping Iran challenge the E3 in the United Nations Security Council over the group's claimed right to enforce the snapback mechanism, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iran's state TV IRIB.

"If Iran keeps moving forward on the nuclear issue, it will upset the regional balance and push many Arab countries into the US, which is not in China's interest," Sun said.

Iran’s reported plans to sign up to China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system could expand Beijing’s footprint in the Middle East as advanced technology emerges as a battleground, according to analysts.

There is growing evidence of increased military cooperation between Iran and China — including aiding in missile production, a new report from Israeli media warns. The alarming news follows reports that a rift had emerged between Iran and ally Russia,

But Iran’s proposal didn’t seem to get the direct endorsement of the group, a regional security body whose 10 members include close partners China and Russia, but also rivals India and Pakistan.