Iran’s Friends Include China and Russia. But Where are They Now?
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Iran has maintained diplomatic, commercial, and military ties with countries like Turkey, India, China, North Korea, Venezuela, and Russia despite longstanding U.S. sanctions and Western isolation.
- These countries engaged with Iran for trade, security, cheap oil, and military cooperation, often viewing it as an ally against Western influence.
- Amid recent attacks by the U.S. and Israel, Iran's partners have offered mostly verbal support, with limited tangible assistance, leaving Iran increasingly isolated.
- Turkey reported that NATO intercepted a ballistic missile from Iran aimed at Turkish airspace, which Iran later denied targeting Turkey.
- Experts attribute Iran's isolation to its foreign policy focus on supporting militias hostile to the U.S. and Israel rather than forming
