China is learning lessons from the war in Iran. Chief among them, the United States may pose an even greater threat than Beijing thought.

China imports roughly half of its oil from the Middle East.

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

China is watching carefully as the United States and Israel bombard Iran. Beijing is, after all, Tehran’s most important partner. The two countries grew close over shared history and goals: both trace their roots to leading ancient non-Western civilizations,

China has perfected the role of concerned onlooker as the Middle East conflict spreads across the region. With no direct role in the conflict and some 4,200 miles (6,800 kilometers) away from the action,

Beijing has condemned the U.S.-backed strikes on Iran, a close partner. Yet with trade talks looming, it is unlikely to risk a rupture with Washington.

By Jonathan Saul and Marwa Rashad LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - China is in talks with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.

China has expressed its anger over Israeli-US strikes on Iran but, despite hits to its oil imports, will not risk its interests by confronting Washington and helping its long-standing partner, analysts say.

One of Iran's closest allies and the ​biggest buyer of its oil, China has so far kept silent about the business and trade impact of the attacks, though it condemned the U.S.-led operation as "unacceptable" and called for restraint.

Iran's military strikes reportedly threaten shadow oil networks, potentially raising energy costs for Russia and China amid ongoing international sanctions.