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Will Russia and China Support Iran Against the US and Israel?
Britain has allowed the United States to use its airbases in connection with the ongoing attacks against Iran, sparking debate over what kind of support Tehran might receive from its allied countries. Both Russia and China maintain strong diplomatic, trade, and military ties with Iran. However, the current conflict will reveal how far they are willing to go in supporting this ally. Russia’s Rhetorical Support Sergei Gorishko says that although Moscow has made a great deal of noise over the joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, its response has largely been limited. Russia has expressed anger over the strikes and signaled solidarity with Tehran, but it has refrained from taking any steps that would risk direct involvement in the conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed “deep disappointment,” saying that despite talks between Washington and Tehran, the situation had “turned into outright aggression.” He added that Moscow remains in constant contact with the Iranian leadership and Gulf states affected by the tensions. Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as “unprovoked aggression” by the United States and Israel against Iran, calling it political assassination and a “hunt” for the leaders of sovereign states. On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a condolence message to his Iranian counterpart following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a “blatant violation of human morality and international law.” Despite this, the Kremlin appears to be avoiding criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump and continues to thank Washington for mediation efforts regarding Ukraine. When asked on Monday how Russia could still trust Washington, Peskov said Russia “relies first and foremost only on itself” and ensures the defense of its own interests. When examining those interests, it becomes clear why Russia’s support for Iran remains largely rhetorical, even though Tehran has become one of Moscow’s closest allies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Iran has been supplying drones to Russia and helping Moscow develop ways to circumvent Western sanctions. Iran also fits neatly into Russia’s vision of a multipolar world order in which state sovereignty outweighs human rights, and governments maintain complete internal control. The fall of such a government would be a setback for Russia’s global outlook. However, the Kremlin has already shown it is unwilling to take major risks for its allies whether in Venezuela, Syria, or during last year’s 12-day war between Iran and Israel. Russia is deeply entangled in the war in Ukraine and appears either unwilling or unable to provide assistance beyond diplomatic statements and limited military-technical cooperation. The strategic partnership agreement signed between Iran and Russia on January 17, 2025, falls just short of a mutual defense pact. Moscow and Tehran pledged information-sharing, joint exercises, and efforts to “ensure regional security.” However, they did not promise to defend each other in the event of an attack. Economic ties between the two countries are also modest, with trade totaling only four to five billion dollars. Nevertheless, military and industrial cooperation between them is increasing. In February, the Financial Times reported that the two countries had reached a major deal under which Russia would supply Iran with air defense systems worth 500 million euros. Russia has already provided Iran with Yak-130 training aircraft and Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Tehran is expected to receive Su-35 fighter jets soon. However, Russia has yet to deliver advanced defensive systems. The use of Iranian-made Shahed drones significantly altered Russian military tactics in Ukraine. But last year, Moscow rapidly expanded domestic drone production, reducing its reliance on Iranian weapons. For Moscow, Iran is too important to allow it to collapse but not important enough to fight for. This situation may change in the future, but for now, Russian intervention is likely to remain largely rhetorical. China: Tehran’s Economic Lifeline China strongly condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Historically, Beijing has opposed U.S. strategies of regime change around the world. The strongest pillar of China-Iran relations is their mutually beneficial economic partnership. China is Iran’s largest trading partner and its most important energy customer. Despite years of U.S. sanctions on Iran, Beijing has remained Tehran’s economic lifeline. With the support of its shipping fleet, China purchases large volumes of Iranian crude oil at discounted prices. For example, in 2025 China bought more than 80 percent of Iran’s exported oil. The revenue from these purchases has enabled Iran not only to stabilize its economy but also to fund its defense expenditures. In 2021, China and Iran signed a 25-year strategic agreement that further strengthened their relationship. Under the deal, China pledged billions of dollars in investment in Iranian infrastructure and telecommunications. China’s “Long Game Historically, China’s response to Iran-Israel and Iran-U.S. conflicts has been measured. Whenever disputes involving Iran have arisen—including during last year’s 12-day Israel-Iran war—China has called for “restraint” and blamed “external interference,” a reference to U.S. policy. During previous Iran-Israel confrontations, China has used—or threatened to use—its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to shield Tehran diplomatically and block resolutions against it. However, it has never offered direct military intervention. Beijing’s strategy has long been to keep the United States entangled in the Middle East while ensuring that the region does not descend into total chaos, which could drive up global oil prices. If a pro-Western government were to take power in Tehran, it would represent a major geopolitical setback for China, as Iran not only meets China’s energy needs but also helps counter U.S. influence in the region. Iran is a member of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and serves as a crucial geographic connector linking Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. The collapse of the Iranian government could weaken the credibility of these multilateral mechanisms that Moscow and Beijing are trying to strengthen. It is widely believed that unless the United States and Israel launch a full-scale war against Iran and deploy ground troops on Iranian soil, the country’s political and military structures are unlikely to collapse. Beijing will likely continue playing its usual “long game,” cooperating with whoever succeeds Khamenei, regardless of who that may be. Meanwhile, Russia will look for opportunities that serve its own interests.
By Real content8 months ago in Chapters
AI, Nuclear Escalation, and Pakistan’s Critical Role
AI, Nuclear Escalation, and Pakistan’s Critical Role If World War III begins, it is unlikely to start with marching armies or formal declarations. Instead, it may begin silently—inside algorithms, early-warning systems, and automated decision tools powered by artificial intelligence. Nowhere is this risk more serious than in regions where nuclear weapons exist alongside historical rivalries, limited decision time, and high political tension. South Asia, especially Pakistan, sits at the center of this emerging danger.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
Has World War III Started?
Has World War III Started? The question “Has World War III started?” is no longer limited to academic debate or fictional movies. It is now openly discussed in newsrooms, policy circles, and online platforms around the world. While the simple answer remains no, the conditions shaping today’s global environment are deeply alarming. The world is experiencing an unprecedented convergence of regional wars, technological disruption, and power competition that closely resembles the early stages of past global conflicts.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
Has World War III Started?
Has World War III Started? The question “Has World War III started?” is no longer limited to academic debate or fictional movies. It is now openly discussed in newsrooms, policy circles, and online platforms around the world. While the simple answer remains no, the conditions shaping today’s global environment are deeply alarming. The world is experiencing an unprecedented convergence of regional wars, technological disruption, and power competition that closely resembles the early stages of past global conflicts.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
The 2026 Iranian Missile and Its Impact on Gulf Business, Travel, and Daily Life
Alia has been living in the Dubai Hills area with her husband and two daughters for the past eight years. She never imagined that even a city as safe as Dubai could come under attack. These days, she constantly hears the sound of explosions that make the windows of her home tremble and leave her young daughters frightened. Alia says, “We have never seen anything like this in our lives. The sound of the explosions is very terrifying.” She is worried about her daughters and is trying to keep them away from the windows. For the past two days, most residents of Dubai have been staying indoors. Malls and roads are almost empty, and restaurants are not as crowded as usual. The skies above the city no longer show Dreamliners or Airbuses carrying tourists and cargo in large numbers. Instead, at short intervals, ballistic missiles and drones can be seen, reportedly launched by Iran neighboring the United Arab Emirates across the Gulf toward these states. The city that residents and tourists once considered the safest in the world is now within range of Iranian missiles and drones. These attacks are being described as a response to strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran. From the luxury Fairmont The Palm hotel to shopping malls, high-rise apartment blocks, and Dubai Airport the world’s busiest international passenger airport damage has also been reported. When these cities were built, no one imagined that one day they would face drone and ballistic missile attacks. A friend living in Dubai complained that, unlike Israel, there are no bunkers here where people can take shelter. And even if you are one of the richest people in the world, you cannot currently leave Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, or Kuwait by flight. For residents and millions of tourists in these Arab countries, life has changed overnight. Some people, worried, have headed toward Hatta and Fujairah. According to Alia, some of her friends who lived near military bases or sensitive areas left for Hatta and Fujairah out of concern, many of them Western nationals. Despite the continuous attacks, Alia says she is satisfied with the government’s response. According to her, the Dubai government is handling the situation effectively and is sending real-time alerts to residents. She says there is uncertainty, but people around her do not appear panicked. Hotels, restaurants, and malls are open. There are fewer people outside than usual, but overall conditions seem normal. Alia says most people in Dubai order their supplies online, though supermarkets are also open. Many stores have displayed notices stating that they have stable stock supplies. She has not stockpiled anything, except ordering slightly more water than usual. Her daughter’s school has shifted to online learning until Wednesday. One of Alia’s friends, who was traveling from Manchester to Pakistan, had to stop in Dubai due to the deteriorating situation and cannot continue her journey. However, Alia says the government has provided full assistance to her friend, including an email stating that the government would arrange visas and hotel accommodations, though for now she is staying with Alia. On March 1, 2026, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that the country’s air defense system had successfully intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drone attacks. According to the statement, a total of 541 drones were launched, of which 506 were destroyed and 35 fell within the country. Similarly, 165 ballistic missiles were detected, of which 152 were intercepted mid-air and 13 fell into the sea. The Ministry of Defense stated that the defense system effectively countered the attacks and ensured the protection of the country’s airspace. However, independent sources have not yet confirmed these claims. As a result of these attacks, three people have been killed and dozens injured in the UAE so far. This is not the Dubai we are used to. Thirty-five-year-old Sathya Jagannathan said that her sister’s family and their pets had to take shelter in their apartment because they lived near Jebel Ali Port, where “a lot of debris was falling.” Authorities reported on Saturday that a fire broke out in part of the port due to debris from air interceptions. The port is the ninth busiest in the world. Jagannathan said, “Every few hours we hear explosions. It’s very frightening because this is not the Dubai we are used to.” Mohammad Nafea has been living in Dubai for nine years. He says the situation is largely normal. Although private businesses and companies were instructed to work from home for two days, all government offices, courts, and immigration offices remain open and functioning. According to Nafea, although air cargo operations have been halted, there is no shortage of food, and supermarkets are fully stocked. He says that among the Pakistani and Indian nationals he spoke to in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Bahrain, none appeared fearful. They trust their governments and seem satisfied with the arrangements so far. Nafea shares this confidence. He explains that if debris falls in a particular area, authorities send alerts only to residents of that specific area rather than alarming the entire city, allowing enough time for people to move to safer places. “I heard the sound of missiles, but I believe we are in Dubai. The government will keep us safe.” Danish, an Indian national who has been living in Dubai for six months and works in marketing, says he lives in BurJuman in old Dubai, where conditions are relatively normal. “I heard missiles passing over my rooftop for the first time in my life. It shook me a bit, but I knew we are in Dubai and we will be kept safe,” he says. He acknowledges the uncertainty but expresses complete confidence in the government and its measures. The UAE government has decided to cover expenses for all tourists stranded in the country. Reports suggest that some tourists stuck in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are traveling by road to Saudi Arabia to catch flights from there. One of Nafea’s friends, stranded in Abu Dhabi, was allowed by authorities to leave and has reached Jeddah by road. He reported heavy crowds at the border, mostly Western nationals leaving the UAE and Qatar. According to Nafea, the Dubai government has decided to cover accommodation costs for all stranded tourists. A friend who runs an Airbnb in Dubai received an email from the government stating that all vacant hotels and Airbnb properties would provide free accommodation to stranded tourists, with the government covering the costs. The UAE government has announced that, due to airport closures, it will bear the accommodation costs of stranded tourists and travelers. In a circular to hotels, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism requested that guests unable to travel be allowed to extend their stay, with the department covering the additional costs. My daughter said, ‘Dad, let’s go back to Pakistan. Unlike Alia and Nafea, another resident, Murtaza, says the roads are completely empty, and malls were deserted over the weekend—contrary to usual scenes. He says he never imagined a rapidly developing place like Dubai could come under attack, but he praises the government’s handling of the situation and its provision of free hotels and food to stranded tourists. A Pakistani father living in the Marina area said a loud explosion late at night woke the entire household. “Both my children started crying. My daughter said, ‘Dad, let’s go back to Pakistan.’” Another woman said she has packed a precautionary bag with passports, some cash, and children’s clothes. “I never thought I would see a day like this in Dubai. We always believed we were far from any danger. Although most people report no shortages in supermarkets, some say increased buying has occasionally left shelves empty. A Pakistani youth remarked, “Fear makes people do anything.” At Dubai International Airport, there is also an atmosphere of anxiety. A family from Lahore, who came for vacation, has been waiting three days for a return flight. Their two young children fall asleep on airport chairs and wake up startled at every announcement. The father says, “Flights keep getting canceled. The children ask when we will go home. We came here for leisure, but now we just pray to return safely.” Kuwaiti citizens woke up to countless explosions. Dr. Ayesha Suleiman, who has lived in Kuwait for 17 years, says her morning began with numerous explosions. In all these years, she has never seen Kuwait under attack like this. She says earlier attacks targeted U.S. bases, but last night civilian areas were also hit, and she personally heard the explosions. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said that “multiple” U.S. fighter jets had also crashed in Kuwait. On the first day, some people panicked and attempted to stockpile essentials, but later stores were seen to be adequately supplied. When asked whether malls and roads are functioning normally, she says sirens are constantly sounding during attacks, including loud ones this morning, yet “our life is almost normal.” As a doctor, she continues going to the hospital, though schools and educational institutions have been instructed to operate online until further notice. Shops and malls are open, but the government has advised people not to go out unnecessarily, so fewer people are seen outside. She had hoped the situation would improve, but now it seems unlikely to settle in a few days. Flight uncertainty also persists. Her son, a student in Pakistan, was supposed to return after vacation, but now cannot. “We packed his things, but we don’t know when he will be able to come back,” she says. What is the situation in Bahrain? Another person currently on a tourist trip in Bahrain says conditions there appear normal. He mentions that the mosque in front of his house has never been empty. At every prayer time, cars arrive as usual, and the rows fill up just like on normal days. He believes people have strong confidence in their government and defense system, assuming that if attacks occur, they will target U.S. bases, with only debris falling elsewhere. He says work-from-home has been implemented and the government has also advised remote work, which may explain why fewer people are outside. There has been no visible panic buying. Interceptions of missiles are occasionally heard, and when attacks occur, the bridge connecting Manama is temporarily closed. It is worth noting that Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, whose area of responsibility includes the Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
By Real content8 months ago in Chapters
After Khamenei: How the Middle East Crisis Could Redraw Global Politics
After Khamenei: How the Middle East Crisis Could Redraw Global Politics The confirmed death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after joint strikes by the United States and Israel has sharply intensified the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—turning what was a dangerous regional crisis into a moment with global implications. Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly four decades and wielded extraordinary political and military influence, was killed when missiles and airstrikes hit Tehran in the opening phase of a major military operation targeting Iranian leadership and strategic infrastructure. The impact of his death is already reverberating across the region and the world in ways that may last for years.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
Lionel Messi: The Quiet Boy Who Grew Up to Rule the World
Lionel Andrés Messi’s story doesn’t begin with stadium lights or roaring crowds. It begins quietly, on June 24, 1987, in a modest hospital in Rosario, Argentina. He was a small, soft‑eyed baby born into a hardworking family. His father worked in a steel factory, and his mother cleaned houses to support their children. Nothing about his birth hinted that the world had just welcomed a future legend. No headlines. No predictions. Just a tiny boy who would one day make millions believe in magic.
By Haroon Pasha8 months ago in Chapters
The First Hours of World War III
The First Hours of World War III World War III will not begin with a formal declaration, a single invasion, or a dramatic announcement on television. If it comes, it will begin quietly—through alerts, miscalculations, automated systems, and decisions made under extreme pressure. The early hours of a global war will feel confusing, fragmented, and unreal, long before the world understands what has happened.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
How World War III Could Begin in Our Time
The First Sparks: How World War III Could Begin in Our Time World War III may not start with a single declaration or one massive attack. Instead, it could begin quietly, through a series of connected crises, misunderstandings, and power struggles already happening today. The world is more connected than ever, but that connection also makes global conflict easier to spread.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
Is This War Turning Into World War III?
Is This War Turning Into World War III? The question many people around the world are quietly asking today is unsettling but unavoidable: Is the current war climate pushing humanity toward World War III? What once appeared to be localized conflicts in the Middle East are now entangled with global rivalries, advanced technologies, and fragile alliances. History shows that world wars rarely begin with a single dramatic declaration. Instead, they grow out of overlapping crises, miscalculations, and escalating power struggles—many of which are visible today.
By Wings of Time 8 months ago in Chapters
