Iran staged new military exercises on Wednesday just as President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, raising concerns that the fragile Middle East ceasefire could collapse. Trump told reporters he expected a “long talk” with Xi focused on the Iran conflict, though he insisted the United States does not “need any help” from China in handling the situation.
New reports suggest Iran’s military capabilities remain more robust than previously believed despite weeks of U.S. and allied strikes and economic sanctions. An assessment from the Institute for the Study of War, cited by Euronews, indicates Tehran is preparing for renewed conflict with both the U.S. and Israel through military drills, internal security exercises, and strategic repositioning of key assets.
The Tehran Province unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted exercises aimed at countering “any movement of the enemy,” according to Iranian state media. Additional drills took place near Mahshahr Port, a strategic location close to the Persian Gulf. Analysts note that Tehran is blending military readiness with domestic security operations to prevent unrest if hostilities resume.
U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly indicate Iran may still retain roughly 70% to 75% of its ballistic missile capabilities, along with significant military infrastructure. The ongoing 75-day conflict has severely affected global energy markets, particularly shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to plunging oil inventories and fears of broader regional instability.
China has positioned itself as a potential mediator while maintaining close economic ties with Iran. Trump’s meetings in Beijing are expected to cover trade and military tensions in Asia, but analysts say Iran’s military drills, timed with Trump’s arrival, are likely intended as a show of force and a warning that Tehran may be preparing for further conflict rather than stepping back.