Could Beijing be the real prize in the US-Iran clash?

A Iran International podcast argues the real target of the US campaign against Iran may be China, citing Xi’s call to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and an analyst who says weakening Beijing is a major objective. China buys a large share of Iran’s crude (more than 80% of 2025 exports) and depends on Iran’s energy flows, so disruptions could pressure Beijing; Tehran’s sanctions-evasion networks could cushion the impact, making this a broader US–China contest with potential spillovers for Taiwan and global energy security.