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>>507916733
For both Putin and Xi, Iran is tied to immense geostrategic stakes. The Caspian Sea is Russia’s “soft underbelly,” ringed by vast oil and gas deposits coveted by Moscow and Ankara - but, above all, by Beijing. China has pumped billions into infrastructure across Central Asia, all of which could become a dead end - or worse, plunge into chaos- if Iran turns hostile or succumbs to destabilizing forces. The Gulf oil monarchs are hardly dependable gatekeepers, especially with Turkey lurking on the sidelines.

Some assume China will stay out of any confrontation, but history says otherwise. Whenever core interests are on the line, Korea, India, Vietnam, the South China Sea - Beijing has shown it won’t back down. Even if China chooses not to intervene directly this time, the ripple effects would be enormous