China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran

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Aug 29, 2026 #Abu Dhabi, #Beijing, #China, #Gulf states, #Iran, #Israel, #Kuwait, #Middle East, #Pakistan, #Saudi Arabia, #South China Morning Post (SCMP), #Tehran, #Turkey, #United States, #Wang Yi, #Xi Jinping

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China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran

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Smoke billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City following an Iranian strike in June. Photo: AFP

Laura ZhouandFan ChenPublished: 7:00pm, 29 Aug 2026Gulf states are making a strategic pivot as the war in Iran drags on into its sixth month but observers warned that their shift towards self-reliant defence networks could test China’s “involvement without commitment” strategy in the region.

The war has forced Gulf leaders to face the reality that neither the United States nor China is able to protect them from attacks by Iran.

On Wednesday, the Iranian army warned that any “possible future war” with the US could spread across the region and target energy and communications infrastructure.

In the face of such threats, Gulf states have been seeking new defensive partners.

On Thursday, Kuwait signed a military cooperation agreement with Pakistan, which promised to provide training and boost the city state’s defensive capacity.

The deal followed Saudi Arabia’s signing of a three-way pact with Turkey and Pakistan, which included a Nato-style clause that an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on them all.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed00:0000:001.00x