A new government memo calls on Israel's decisionmakers to prepare for a possible strategic pact between China and Iran and try to use Jerusalem's influence with the US as leverage to offset any effect this might have.
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The memo was written up by the Intelligence Ministry in the wake of the drafting of a Sino-Iranian strategic agreement, which is still pending official approval by Beijing.
"There is no certainty that such a deal will mature into a full-fledged document and be ready for signature," the memo says, citing the severe punitive measures the US would take against the Chinese in response.
"In this current climate where US sanctions are in effect against Iran, the deal would place Chinese companies at risk of being designated," the memo notes.
The memo also claims that even if the agreement between Iran and China comes to fruition, it could have a positive effect on Israel's posture, in part because China already has significant clout on Saudi Arabia, Iran's great adversary and therefore "Chinese presence the region can actually have a restraining influence."
This would entail possible pressure on both the Iranians and the Saudis to check their levels of hostility.
The memo stresses that regardless of what transpires, Israel should "insist that any future agreements the US has with China and Russia include provisions that limit those two countries' relations with Iran."
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