China Wants Iran To Chill Out And Be Normal (S01E52)

Friday, April 17, 2026, Istanbul A blockbuster report by the Financial Times alleged that China had sold Iran a satellite likely being used for precision targeting of US and potentially Israeli assets during the war. The revelation brought to the fore the long-term relationship between Tehran and Beijing, which provides Iran with capital, military equipment, and diplomatic support. But scholar Ahmed Aboudouh, of Chatham House and the Emirates Policy Center, says China views Iran as a problematic, especially now that its war with the US and Israel has destabilized the Middle East and disrupted crucial oil supplies. Aboudouh, a longtime specialist on relations between China and the Middle East, describes China as highly cautious and calculating diplomatic player is looking at the current war with skepticism and worry. Please listen or watch.badlands is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borzou.substack.com/subscribe