China Criticizes Iran War as Beijing Supports Tehran Under the Table

China is trying to have it both ways in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

On April 14, Chinese leader Xi Jinping criticized Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports and called for a diplomatic resolution during meetings in Beijing with foreign leaders. At the same time, reporting indicates that Chinese-linked firms have provided high-resolution satellite imagery to Iranian actors monitoring U.S. military installations in the region.

Taken together, these actions suggest a calibrated approach: Beijing is pairing diplomatic outreach with limited support that may incrementally benefit Iran while avoiding steps that could escalate tensions with Washington or disrupt broader U.S.-China relations.

Xi Calls for De-Escalation as Beijing Pushes Talks

Xi’s comments were made during a summit in Beijing with UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, where the two discussed energy cooperation and Middle East tensions. Chinese state media highlighted Xi’s call to uphold the “authority of international law” and avoid a return to “the law of the jungle” — a phrase Beijing has repeatedly used since the conflict began and a thinly veiled critique of U.S. pressure tactics. Xi echoed this message in a subsequent meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a vocal critic of the war.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has similarly pressed for continued negotiations, urging his Pakistani counterpart on April 13 to “preserve the hard-won momentum” of recent talks. Beijing has reportedly used its ties with Islamabad to encourage Iranian negotiators to moderate their positions. At the same time, China’s Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the U.S. blockade, calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that risks further escalation.

China Reportedly Provides Iran With Satellite Imagery of U.S. Military Installations

Despite its public support for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, Chinese-linked firms have reportedly provided satellite imagery of U.S. military installations to regime forces. The Financial Times reported on April 15 that a cache of Iranian documents revealed that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders purchased imagery from a Chinese-operated commercial satellite covering Prince Sultan Air Base, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, and elements of the U.S. 5th Fleet prior to strikes.

The satellite, operated by Chinese firm Emposat, offers higher-resolution imagery than Iran’s domestic systems, improving visibility of fixed assets such as aircraft on open runways. While this capability may incrementally improve Iranian targeting, it does not fundamentally alter the military balance.

This activity reflects a broader pattern. In April 2025, the State Department accused Chang Guang Satellite Technology, a Chinese firm with ties to the Chinese military, of providing imagery to Houthi forces in Yemen to target U.S. warships in the Red Sea, underscoring how dual-use commercial platforms can support Iranian and proxy operations.

Washington Should Maintain Pressure on Beijing as Leverage Against Tehran

The United States should approach China’s role in the conflict as a source of leverage over Tehran, using discrete pressure to prompt Beijing to exert pressure on Iran’s rulers, particularly ahead of President Trump’s expected visit to Beijing in May.

The Treasury Department has already signaled potential secondary sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong banks tied to illicit Iranian oil sales, raising the cost of Beijing’s support. The Commerce Department should also consider placing Chinese commercial satellite firms, including Emposat, on the Entity List, restricting their access to U.S. technology.

These steps would reinforce a simple point: China cannot call for de-escalation while continuing activities that benefit Iranian operations.

Craig Singleton is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and senior director of FDD’s China Program, where Jack Burnham is a senior research analyst. For more analysis from Craig, Jack, and the China Program, please subscribe HERE. Follow Craig on X @CraigMSingleton. Follow Jack on X @JackBurnham802. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.