The presence of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Beijing two weeks ago does not bode well for global security. The strategic Chinese-Iranian partnership simultaneously props up the world’s leading state sponsor of terror while also providing Beijing the foothold in the Near East necessary for its neocolonialist Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project to succeed.
Unsurprisingly, the meeting between Zarif and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, further strengthened the two nations’ economic ties. Yi pledged to invest $280 billion in Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors. U.S. sanctions had targeted these specific sectors in late 2018 to hinder the rogue state’s arsenal development. While the Iranian regime has faced mounting pressure, as other countries have halted economic support, Beijing has become Iran’s top oil customer and trading partner — making up for 50% – 70% of the state’s oil exports.
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