The hidden target in US war on Iran may be China

Key Points:

• Former US President Donald Trump has characterized Iran’s leadership as divided and disorganized, citing internal conflicts between so-called "hardliners" and "moderates," a claim Tehran’s officials have strongly denied, emphasizing national unity and rejecting Western political labels.
• Iran International, a Persian-language broadcaster in London, has faced ongoing security threats including an attempted arson attack and surveillance linked to Iran, prompting UK authorities to relocate its operations temporarily and leading Prime Minister Keir Starmer to pledge legislation to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Pakistan aimed to advance mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington amid stalled negotiations, while internal disputes within Iran’s negotiating team and mixed messaging have increased public uncertainty about the peace process.
• Iran’s economy, already fragile before the war, is experiencing severe stagflation marked by high inflation, currency depreciation, disrupted exports, and banking sector stress; scenarios involving continued ceasefire, naval blockade, or military operations predict worsening conditions with rising unemployment and declining living standards.
• UK officials have expressed growing concern over Iran’s use of proxies for espionage and attacks on British soil, highlighting recent arrests and ongoing investigations into Iran-linked threats targeting Jewish and Iranian communities, reinforcing calls for stronger countermeasures against malign foreign state activities.