China is closely monitoring the extent of Israeli intelligence (Mossad) penetration into Iran, especially after the events of 2025 and the Israeli strikes deep inside Iran, which revealed extensive security gaps. The most prominent features of the Chinese position and actions in this regard are embodied in the Chinese assessment of the “Pandora’s Box of global security risks.” Chinese observers and military analysts warned that Mossad’s success in penetrating Iranian intelligence agencies and sensitive facilities has opened a Pandora’s box of global security risks. Beijing believes that Israel’s ability to plant agents and disable Iranian air defense and radar systems from within represents a new pattern of intelligence warfare that necessitates vigilance and the strengthening of Chinese national security measures as well.
To counter Israeli intelligence penetration within Iranian territory, Chinese technical cooperation with Iran has increased to uncover Israeli infiltrations within Iran. Reports in July 2025 indicated Iranian cooperation with China and Russia to investigate how Israel managed to penetrate the official Iranian database and government software, including civil registry and passport data. This cooperation aims to close the technical gaps that Mossad exploited to reach sensitive Iranian military and nuclear targets. Furthermore, Chinese support for Iran’s defense and intelligence capabilities: China is working to enhance Iran’s ability to counter this infiltration through the supply of surveillance satellites to Iran. Iran has sought advanced technology from leading Chinese companies, such as Chang Guang, to develop its remote monitoring and intelligence-gathering capabilities, enabling it to more accurately track Israeli movements.
Iran has also announced plans for a complete transition to the Chinese navigation system known as BeiDou as an alternative to the American and Western GPS systems. This move aims to reduce reliance on Western technology, which may be vulnerable to hacking or disruption. In addition to Chinese military efforts to bolster Iran’s deterrent capabilities, leaked reports have revealed a Chinese agreement to assist Iran in rebuilding its ballistic missile arsenal and supplying it with solid-fuel components and guidance systems following the attacks it suffered from Israel in 2025.
Regarding China’s political and diplomatic stance on American and Israeli interference in Iran, China affirms its continued opposition to any foreign intervention in Iran’s internal affairs. It considers Tehran’s stability a strategic interest, particularly given the 25-year comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement between the two countries. Beijing expresses concern about the escalating intelligence and military confrontation between Israel and Iran and consistently calls for restraint to avoid disrupting energy and trade routes in the region.
Here, Chinese intelligence, military, defense, and security reports, along with field operations for 2025 and 2026, point to several Chinese strategies to counter Israeli (Mossad) infiltration and support the stability of the Iranian regime. These strategies include cybersecurity and severing “software arms,” through China replacing Western technologies in Iran with Chinese-made alternatives. In January 2026, China began implementing a strategy aimed at thwarting Mossad and the American Central Agency “CIA” by urging Iran to cease using software from American and Israeli companies and replace it with secure, closed Chinese systems that are difficult to penetrate.
China is also working to support digital sovereignty within Iran. The “15th Chinese Five-Year Plan” (2026-2030) focuses on strengthening cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in Iran as essential tools to protect Iranian cyberspace from Israeli and American sabotage attacks. Furthermore, China is involved in rebuilding Iran’s missile deterrent after the 2025 war, compensating for the losses suffered by Iran and its armed forces after the 12-day war in June 2025, during which Israel targeted Iranian missile sites. China is assisting Iran in rebuilding its arsenal and supplying the Iranian army with sensitive components for its ballistic missiles. Specifically, China has provided its ally Tehran with solid rocket fuel chemicals, such as sodium perchlorate, as well as precision guidance systems and microprocessors, making it more difficult for Israeli intelligence to technically disable Iranian missiles.
China and its Ministry of Defense have also worked to strengthen Iran’s air defense and radar systems, focusing on supporting Iran. With anti-stealth systems, Iran is seeking to acquire advanced Chinese radars, such as the YLC-8B & JY-27A. These are the same Chinese radar systems capable of detecting “Israeli stealth aircraft,” known to the military as the F-35.
This is the same vulnerability that Mossad previously exploited to carry out operations deep inside Iran. To this end, China has worked to bridge the gap between Iran’s military capabilities and those of Israel, which is militarily supported by the United States. China aims to establish a new “balance of power” that prevents Israel from achieving absolute air superiority over Iranian airspace.
China has also devised a well-structured plan to assist Iran through the intelligence mechanism within the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization” (SCO). This involves encouraging China to establish a regional security center within the “SCO.” In September 2025, the “SCO” member states (led by China) signed agreements to establish a “comprehensive center to address security challenges and threats,” aimed at coordinating information. Intelligence cooperation exists among members, including Iran, to thwart external sabotage operations, particularly those led by the Israeli Mossad. Furthermore, China is pursuing a strategy of “military diplomacy” in its dealings with Israel, intensifying high-level Chinese visits to deepen security cooperation and transfer expertise in counter-espionage.
Based on the preceding analysis, we understand that these Chinese military moves to support the Iranian regime are part of China’s vision to prevent the collapse of the regime in Tehran. Beijing views the Mossad’s success in penetrating the Iranian interior as a direct threat to its economic interests and its Belt and Road Initiative, hindering the flow of Chinese trade and supply chains through vital maritime straits in the Red Sea region, at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, and the Strait of Hormuz.
Consequently, we understand that China considers the Israeli intelligence penetration of Iran a “security lesson” and a challenge to its strategic partner in Tehran. Therefore, it is increasing the pace of defense technology transfers. Advanced surveillance tools are being used to enhance the Iranian regime’s immunity against covert operations led by the Israeli Mossad.
