Zineb Riboua(@zriboua):China had extended substantial support to the Islamic Republic through the sanctions years, sustaining Iranian oil exports through teapot refineries, enabling a shadow fleet to move Iranian crude, and providing diplomatic cover at the United Nations. That relationship carried an implicit logic whereby Beijing would absorb some international costs of the Iranian partnership because it served Chinese interests. Weaponizing the Strait of Hormuz broke that arrangement entirely.

Zineb Riboua

@zriboua

moroccan berber - building @chinainmena - research @HudsonInstitute - contact: riboua@chinainmena.com

Joined March 2021

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Zineb Riboua@zriboua

2026.05.18 00:31

China had extended substantial support to the Islamic Republic through the sanctions years, sustaining Iranian oil exports through teapot refineries, enabling a shadow fleet to move Iranian crude, and providing diplomatic cover at the United Nations. That relationship carried an implicit logic whereby Beijing would absorb some international costs of the Iranian partnership because it served Chinese interests. Weaponizing the Strait of Hormuz broke that arrangement entirely.