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.

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

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,

Russia sought to do this naval drill primarily to show it is still interested in joint cooperation with Iran. Iran and Russia began a naval exercise on Monday.

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

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday he expects to negotiate an extension of President Donald Trump’s tariff deadline with China during meetings in Stockholm next week.

Iran continues to refuse proposal it join regional consortium for enriched uranium as officials prepare for meetings with Russia, China and European nations amid nuclear tensions

Other countries, including the United States, China, and Russia, were not cited as significant threats by substantial portions of the Israeli public.