US intelligence reportedly says China is using the Iran conflict to strengthen its military, economic and diplomatic position against Washington.
According to The Washington Post, U.S. military intelligence believes Beijing is using the Middle East conflict to strengthen its position against Washington across the military, economic and diplomatic arenas.
Citing sources familiar with a classified intelligence report, the newspaper reported that the Pentagon is seriously concerned about the geopolitical costs the United States may face in its confrontation with Tehran.
The report states that after the U.S. and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, China supplied weapons to Washington’s allies in the Persian Gulf. It also says Beijing provided assistance to countries struggling with energy shortages after the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
The Washington Post also reported that the war with Iran has drained significant U.S. weapons stockpiles — resources that could prove critical in a potential confrontation with China over Taiwan. The fighting in the Middle East, which caused serious damage to U.S. forces and facilities in the region, also gave Beijing an opportunity to closely study how Washington conducts military operations and draw conclusions for its own future planning.