China's influence tested by US air strikes on Iran but direct role unlikely: analysts
Even as US
air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities put China's influence to the test in the strategically important region, most observers expect Beijing to avoid direct intervention of any kind.
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They said Beijing was likely to instead focus on diplomatic support for Tehran as the US became more entangled in the Israel-Iran conflict.
US bombing over the weekend reportedly damaged three of Iran's nuclear facilities, marking the most significant Western military action against Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution led to the establishment of an Islamic republic.
The Iranian military on Monday threatened 'severe consequences' for the US, although satellite imagery and nuclear watchdogs suggested the strikes had caused limited damage to Iran's core nuclear capabilities.
In a move that could send shock waves through global energy markets, Iran's legislature has also approved plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil transits.
03:07
What's known about the 3 Iranian nuclear sites hit by US bunker-buster bombs
What's known about the 3 Iranian nuclear sites hit by US bunker-buster bombs
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