In January 2024, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Ukrainian cities with support from China, Iran, and North Korea [e459749e]. This collaboration has strengthened Russia's position on the battlefield, undermined Western attempts to isolate Moscow, and harmed Ukraine [e459749e].
Russia has deployed over 3,700 Iranian-designed drones and is collaborating with Iran to build a new drone factory [e459749e]. North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missiles and ammunition [e459749e]. China has become Russia's most important lifeline, purchasing Russian oil and gas and providing warfighting technology [e459749e].
China's assistance to Russia and Iran in evading Western sanctions and the growing Russia-Iran military alliance further solidify the alliance between China, Russia, and Iran [3c19013d] [e459749e]. China has pledged a 'no limits' partnership with Russia and signed a 25-year, $400 billion 'strategic agreement' with Iran [3c19013d] [e459749e]. China has become a major customer of oil from both Russia and Iran, while also increasing its exports to Russia [e459749e]. However, China's exports to Iran remain limited due to fear of American retribution [ed4b8fc8]. China has helped Russia and Iran evade Western sanctions on their oil exports by creating an alternative market for their restricted oil [ed4b8fc8]. Chinese independent refineries, known as 'teapots,' have clandestinely accepted 90% of Iran's total oil exports, while Chinese state-owned refiners have avoided Iran due to fears of sanctions [ed4b8fc8].
The alliance between China, Russia, and Iran faces challenges in developing common banking channels, payment systems, and investment strategies [e459749e]. Additionally, the relationship between Iran and Russia is competitive, particularly in terms of energy exports to China [e459749e].
The partnership between Russia and Iran is increasingly acquiring the features of a military alliance. There is an exchange of technologies, drones, air defense systems, experience, and tactics between the two countries [e459749e].
Despite these challenges, the alliance between China, Russia, and Iran is seen as a worrying development for the United States. While the alliance is not yet a true partnership and primarily serves China's interests, if China is forced out of Western markets, it may invest more in the alliance and challenge American dominance in the global trading system [3c19013d].
Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, emphasized the need for the world to develop an action plan based on the Ukrainian Peace Formula to address the threat posed by the growing Russia-Iran military alliance [71e432e7]. Yermak expressed solidarity with Israel and highlighted the shared struggle against interconnected countries. He called for unblocking aid from the U.S. Congress and emphasized the urgency of resolving the situation [71e432e7].
The coordination among China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia is creating a new axis of upheaval that is fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape [e459749e].