The wave of attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran — and the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — has prompted reactions from across the Indo-Pacific.
On Sunday, China’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the killing of Khamenei, calling it “a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security.” China and Iran established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016; bilateral trade hit US$13.37 billion in 2024. Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2023 and joined BRICS+ in 2024.
According to Politico, in 2024, 96 per cent of Iranian crude oil exports were destined for China. In 2025, China purchased only 13.5 per cent of its crude-oil imports from Iran (and 3.8 per cent from Venezuela). Fifty per cent of China’s oil imports, however, came from countries using the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway recently “closed” by Iran.
Despite its protests and modest oil interests, Beijing is unlikely to meaningfully intervene in this conflict. Chinese policymakers are likely content that the U.S. is focusing its attention and resources on the Middle East rather than the Indo-Pacific.
Lowering the temperature
Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, said he’s willing to travel to Iran “to conduct mediation,” while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the U.S. and Iran to “pursue a diplomatic off-ramp rather than further escalation.”
New Delhi urged all sides to “exercise restraint [and] avoid escalation.” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended “condolences on [Khamenei’s] martyrdom."
Australia’s statement on Iran was largely aligned with Canada’s statement; Ottawa and Canberra both supported the U.S. “acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
