After the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites on June 21, Huanqiu Times interviewed several Chinese experts about future developments in the Middle East. Their views uniformly warn that Iran is unlikely to back down; instead, it may escalate retaliatory actions, potentially plunging the region into deeper instability.
- Zou Zhiqiang, researcher at the Middle East Studies Center, Fudan University, stated that the U.S. airstrikes are unlikely to force Iran into submission. The strikes crossed a critical red line of Iran, likely provoking Iran to intensify its actions and possibly compel sustained U.S. involvement.
- Ding Long, professor at the Middle East Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, warned that if Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is seriously or completely destroyed, Tehran may retaliate by targeting U.S. interests or attempting to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
- Li Zixin, assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, predicted a serious escalation in regional security risks in both the short and medium term. Iran could strike U.S. military bases in the Middle East, increasing danger to neighboring Arab states and further destabilizing the region.
- Zhang Junshe, military expert, noted that Iran had previously warned it would target U.S. military assets if its nuclear facilities were attacked. The U.S. has already moved aircraft and naval forces away from potential Iranian strike zones, indicating that it anticipates retaliatory actions and acknowledges its inability to fully protect its bases.
{Editor’s Note: Chinese political and military experts express opinions aligned with the Communist Party’s propaganda policies. For instance, during the Second Gulf War, Chinese military experts predicted fierce Iraqi resistance. When U.S. forces entered Baghdad with little opposition, a Chinese military analyst famously asked live on TV, “Where did the Iraqi army go?”}
Source: Huanqiu Times, June 22, 2025
https://m.huanqiu.com/article/4NC9HaPOPkW