China Plans to Direct Iran’s Postwar Rebuilding to Safeguard Oil Access

China is positioning itself to become the lead partner in Iran’s postwar reconstruction, a move seen as a pathway to secure long‑term access to Iranian oil reserves. The strategy was outlined during a meeting in New Delhi between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, where Wang affirmed Beijing’s commitment to “provide assistance to Iran while supporting reconstruction and peace‑building efforts.”

China’s involvement has so far centered on humanitarian logistics, such as the planned delivery of emergency medical supplies to Lebanon, but analysts note a shift toward large‑scale infrastructure projects to lock in energy security. The effort follows a U.S.–Iran conflict that began in February 2026 and has led China, the world’s biggest oil importer, to sharply cut crude imports, prompting a broader transition toward electrification.

Strategic ties already exist, including a 25‑year cooperation agreement signed in 2021 and China’s purchase of roughly 30 % of its oil from Iran. By leading reconstruction, Beijing aims to cement its foothold in the Middle East and ensure stable supplies from Iran’s vast reserves, counterbalancing the vacuum left by diminished U.S. engagement in the region.