Weeks after his country was battered by waves of Israeli strikes and the US bombed three of its prized nuclear facilities, Iran’s foreign minister came to a gathering of regional diplomats in China this week with a simple ask.

After its antiquated air force and fragmented air defenses were decimated in the recent “12-day war” with Israel and the U.S., a weakened Iran is now looking to China for advanced weaponry. -With its traditional military supplier,

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China’s dependence on Iranian and Russian oil is a key issue in upcoming trade talks.

"Strengthening air defense capabilities is clearly an urgent priority for Iran at the moment," expert Hongda Fan told Newsweek.

Foreign ministry directors general to hold talks in Iran's capital; Tehran says currently no plans to resume talks with US, accuses European nations of breaking deal commitments

China’s purchases of Iranian crude rose in June to the highest since March’s record levels, in part because of speedier loadings as sellers sought to avoid getting tangled in the country’s conflict with Israel,

Iran's foreign minister visits China after Israel conflict, highlighting efforts to deepen ties amid regional and U.S. tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that China can continue to purchase Iranian oil after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, a move that the White House clarified did not indicate a relaxation of U.

Could Europe's August deadline be the most important date in the decades-long nuclear standoff, or will Iran face more sanctions? Israel’s and the US’s historic attack on Iran between June 13 and June 24 set back the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program by around two years,