(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Oded Ailam - China has quietly supplied Iran with military components that help rebuild and upgrade its ballistic missiles and air-defense systems, increasing Tehran's ability to threaten Israel and complicating regional dynamics. Because these shipments are Chinese, direct strikes carry a high risk of broader escalation with Beijing, so Israel must balance deterrence with restraint. The recommended response blends discreet diplomacy with economic pressure, coordinated U.S.-Israel leverage over Iranian energy exports, intensified covert intelligence and sabotage operations, and regional diplomatic action to disrupt the supply chain while avoiding a direct confrontation with China. The writer, former head of the Counterterrorism Division in the Mossad, is a researcher at the Jerusalem Center.
2025-09-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive