Iran maintains ties with a range of countries, including Turkey, India, Russia and China. Yet in this war, their support is mostly rhetoric.

Analysts debate whether the absence of Chinese support for the embattled regime is a matter of strategy or capability.

Israeli defence analysts have raised the possibility that foreign expertise may have contributed to Iran’s development of these systems, prompting speculation about potential technological support from Russia or China.

The U.S.’s leading rivals–Russia and China–criticized Washington over its strikes on Iran during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Saturday. U.S. ambassador Michael G. Waltz countered and said “Operation Epic Fury is directed towards specific and strategic objectives.

The day the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, China waited several hours before taking its first official position.

Some in the Kremlin believe a prolonged U.S. war could work in Russia’s favor by boosting oil prices and diverting key weapons from Ukraine.

In quick succession, US President Donald Trump has taken out two of Beijing’s closest allies: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.