2024-02-06 13:17:48
China, Russia e Iran will perform joint naval maneuvers the month of March. The announcement, which comes as the Washington-led coalition steps up its pressure on Houthi targets, underscores the opposing perspectives of China and USA in the Middle East conflict.
The maneuvers aim to reinforce “the regional security“, according to Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, head of the Iranian Navy. The official agency, Tasnim, speaks of “war games“and advances that Pakistan, Brazil, India o South Africa will be invited as observers. The scenario does not clarify but the analysts are betting on the gulf of oman because the three countries already held their exercises there last year. They lasted five days and included maneuvers with real fire and tests to repel terrorist and pirate attacks. The delicate regional context will emphasize the symbolism of the imminent maneuvers.
The United States launched its third round of bombings on Houthi interests in Yemen. Washington justifies them for the attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Houthis legitimize these as punishment for the suffering of the Gazans. There is no sense of an end to a crisis that has also trapped China. None of its cargo ships have been assaulted but its shipping companies, including the giant Cosco, have suspended their transits through that corridor. There is no country more affected than the largest trading power but, despite the high maritime tariffs, Beijing has moved cautiously. He sees the Houthi violence as an aftershock of the Israeli-Palestinian earthquake. And this, in his opinion, has been fueled by the stubborn Western inclination towards Israel in general and, more specifically, by the American boycott of the ceasefire proposal. She does not seem wrong when she predicts that the bombings will only exacerbate the conflict. Iran has called them “a repeated violation of Yemen’s territorial integrity and a huge violation of international law“. “The perpetuation of these arbitrary attacks is insolent political recklessness and a threat to international peace and security,” stated its Foreign Ministry.
Washington’s request to Beijing
The United States has insisted that Beijing ask Tehran to put the Houthi rebels on short notice. The Red Sea was a priority issue at the recent meeting of Jake SullivanAmerican National Security Advisor, and Wang Yi, head of Chinese diplomacy. “They can have conversations with Iranian leaders that are impossible for us,” reasoned White House spokesman John Kirby. The American press speaks of “repeated requests” in the last three months.
It is not new that Washington turns to China to put out global fires, whether they are caused by Russia, North Korea or allegedly Iran. They are logical requests because Beijing enjoys ties with these governments that Washington lacks but they overvalue Chinese influence on the foreign policy of sovereign countries and, in all three cases, plenty of pride.
China’s real influence over Tehran will be discovered soon. The Reuters agency revealed last week that Beijing is maneuvering behind its public equidistance and has already asked Iranian representatives to contribute to ending attacks on ships. “China is basically telling us: if our interests are harmed, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show moderation“, one of the Iranian sources consulted would have said.
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