Israel has called on China to use its economic and political influence to curb Iran's military and nuclear ambitions, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
“China is the only one capable of influencing Iran,” Consul-General in Shanghai Ravit Baer said. “Iran would collapse if China didn’t buy its oil,” she added.
Both China and Russia stood by Iran in March after the US demanded nuclear talks with Tehran, with senior Chinese and Russian diplomats saying dialogue should only resume based on "mutual respect" and all sanctions ought to be lifted, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.
“They can pressure Iran. They have political power over Iran. They can help change its malign activities in the region,” she said. “There are many things China can do.”
Silence during the Israel-Iran war
However, despite the fact that both countries have close relations with the Islamic Republic, neither offered assistance in the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
“I don’t think China is interested in being a mediator” between Israel and Iran, Baer said. “Being a mediator is a big responsibility, requires lots of money, and hard decisions.”
According to Bloomberg, Baer added that Israel’s relations with China, its second-largest trading partner after the US, haven’t worsened much despite conflicts since 2023.
“We’re still having good conversations,” she said. “Even if we disagree politically, it doesn’t mean you cannot cooperate.”
This is a developing report.