Iranian Defense Minister Visits China Two Days After Nuclear Conflict with Israel – General Aziz Nasirzadeh

Iranian Defense Minister Visits China Two Days After Nuclear Conflict with Israel – General Aziz Nasirzadeh
[Tehran, June 26, 2025]

Just two days after the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh has departed for China. The visit is being seen as part of broader strategic and regional security discussions.

According to BBC Persian Service, General Nasirzadeh is visiting China to attend the Defense Ministers’ Conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and to hold bilateral meetings with China’s defense minister and senior military leadership.

The timing of the visit is significant, as Iran’s air defense system came under heavy criticism domestically during the initial phase of Israeli military strikes. There is growing pressure on Iran’s government and military to explain how the country lost control of its airspace so quickly.

Analysts believe the visit is intended to strengthen Iran’s ties with its key strategic ally, China, and possibly develop new frameworks for security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordination on regional defense policies.

China has yet to issue an official statement on the Israel-Iran ceasefire. However, Iran’s high-level visit is expected to further increase Beijing’s role in post-war diplomatic realignments.