What are close friends China and Russia doing for Iran

The occupying Israel and the United States have jointly attacked Iran and set the entire Middle East on fire. After the February 28 invasion, Tehran has also let go of its grip. They are firing missiles and drones in droves at the extremist Zionist territories and US interests in the Gulf countries.

So far, Iran is fighting bravely against more than 10 countries alone. Close friends China and Russia are not seen publicly helping. In this situation, a question is being raised by many that whether Beijing and Moscow are doing anything at all to protect their ally Tehran?

Various countries, including US allies the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, have sent weapons to the Middle East in support of Washington. They are doing everything possible to protect the genocidal Israel. But so far, there is no evidence that China or Russia have provided Iran with any weapons. Even as Israel and the United States rain down bombs on Iran, Moscow and Beijing have shown no visible steps to stop them.

Tehran’s two most powerful diplomatic partners—Russia and China—have called the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has killed more than 1,000 people, a clear violation of international law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28 a “cruel violation of all norms of humanitarian morality.” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sarr that force cannot really solve the problem, while urging all parties to avoid escalation.

Russia and China have jointly requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The response reflects the close ties between Iran, Russia and China.

Moscow and Beijing have signed bilateral agreements and increased coordination through joint naval exercises, demonstrating a united front against the “US-led international system” that they say has long sought to isolate them.

But despite their tough rhetoric, neither has so far expressed any willingness to intervene to provide military support to Iran.

Russia-Iran are strategic partners, not military allies

In January 2025, Russia and Iran signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that covers everything from trade and military cooperation to science, culture and education. The agreement deepened defense and intelligence coordination and supported projects such as a transport corridor that connects Russia to the Persian Gulf via Iran.

The two countries also conducted joint military exercises in the Indian Ocean in late February, just weeks before the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

However, Moscow was not obliged to respond after the war broke out, as the treaty did not include any clause on mutual defense. That is, it was far from becoming a formal military alliance.

Andrei Kortunov, former director general of the Russian International Affairs Council and member of the Valdai Discussion Club, said via video link from Moscow that Russia’s mutual defense treaty with North Korea in 2024 was an example of a “more binding” agreement in terms of military assistance.

He said that under the treaty, Russia would be “obliged to join any conflict” with North Korea, while in the case of Iran, “it only states that if one side engages in conflict, the other side agrees to refrain from any hostile actions.”

Kortunov said that Russia is unlikely to take direct military action in support of Iran, as the risks are too high.

He added that Moscow is likely “preferring US mediation in the Ukraine conflict.”

He noted that Russia took a similar stance during the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, even though the agreement clearly states that Russia is not obligated to intervene.

Kortunov said some of his acquaintances in Tehran had expressed “a kind of disappointment.” They had expected Russia to do more than just diplomatic steps.

China-Iran relations and limitations

In 2021, China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in various sectors, including energy, which included Iran in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

For Beijing, the relationship is realistic and stable, said Jody Wen, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University in China.

“We have regular contacts on the political side and cooperation on the economic side is very deep; many companies have investments in Iran,” he said by phone from Beijing.

But she stressed that Beijing has long maintained clear boundaries around this partnership, especially when it comes to military intervention.

The Chinese government has always adhered to the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. I don't think the Chinese government will send weapons to Iran, said Jody Wen.

Instead, Beijing's role will likely be more focused on diplomacy and crisis management.

"I think China is on the side of the US and the Gulf," she said.