China’s support for Iran shows its limits as US ramps up pressure on Tehran

China has long been a rare partner to Iran, with the economic heft to blunt the United States’ efforts to strangle the Iranian economy.Yet even as China opposes US President Donald Trump’s latest pressure campaign, few observers expect it to go much further than the modest economic links it has thus far forged with Iran to shield it.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4US urges G20 to cut trade imbalances, focus on Chinalist 2 of 4US House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown ahead of midtermslist 3 of 4Cisco accused of fostering a hostile workplace for Muslim and Arab employeeslist 4 of 4Fernandez transfers to Man City from Chelsea in joint British record feeend of listWhile China opposes the Trump administration’s military attacks and sanctions against Iran, Beijing’s relationship with Tehran is just one consideration in a foreign policy that seeks to balance relations with numerous countries, including the US and the Gulf states, limiting its appetite to prop up the Iranian leadership at any cost, analysts say.“China, with broader global interests, can only actively promote de-escalation of the US-Iran conflict, and cannot and will not engage in fierce confr...