Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Name: US forces seize Iranian ship as Tehran says it has no plans to join peace talks
Uploaded: 2026-04-22T04:00:15.000Z
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Description: US forces seize Iranian ship as Tehran says it has no plans to join peace talks

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note

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Smoke rises above RIyadh amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Since the war began on February 28, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted key Saudi infrastructure. Photo: Reuters

Alyssa ChenandFan Chen

Published: 12:00pm, 22 Apr 2026

The Iran conflict is pushing Saudi Arabia to reconsider its US-led security strategy, with China emerging to play a limited, but functional role, analysts say.

However, deep US ties in defence would restrict Saudi Arabia’s broader cooperation with China, they added, as one expert predicted Riyadh was likely to deepen ties with regional powers such as Pakistan and Turkey.

In a rare alignment, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, a key US ally in the Middle East, initiated a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday.

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US forces seize Iranian ship as Tehran says it has no plans to join peace talks

He said Riyadh was ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to “prevent the resurgence of hostilities, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and work together to find solutions for long-term regional stability and security”.

During the phone conversation, Xi said for the first time that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open, adding that it aligned with the “common interest of countries” in the region and the international community, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Xi also said China stood ready to work with Saudi Arabia to “deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance practical cooperation, expand exchanges at all levels and continue to broaden and deepen the scope of bilateral ties”.

Since the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran began on February 28, Tehran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on key Saudi infrastructure – including energy production and refining facilities – as it seeks to punish US allies in the Gulf.

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note