The U.S.-led strikes in Iran and the death of its leader have sent shockwaves through Beijing, prompting fears of a potential anti-government chain reaction that could destabilize the CCP regime.

By Eva Fu, published by The Epoch Times

In Brief by Probe International

In the wake of U.S.-led strikes on Iran and the death of its leader, Chinese officials are in a state of alarm, fearing that the unrest could spark similar anti-government protests in China. Behind closed doors, high-ranking members of the Politburo are holding secret meetings to assess the situation, drawing unsettling parallels to the Soviet Union’s collapse.

China’s response to the strikes has been notably muted, with a delayed and softened statement from the foreign ministry that downplayed criticism of the U.S. and Israel. This cautious approach follows a series of miscalculations by Chinese analysts who previously dismissed the likelihood of a U.S. military offensive against Iran.

Internally, the Chinese regime is grappling with its own turmoil, including military purges and widespread public discontent over economic issues like high youth unemployment and unpaid wages. Officials are increasingly worried that the situation in Iran could ignite pent-up anger among the populace, leading to potential unrest.

To maintain control, the government is ramping up censorship and ideological training within the military, demanding that personnel publicly align their views with the Party line on the Iran situation. Discussions that could draw comparisons between Iran’s unrest and domestic issues are strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violations.

As the conflict in Iran disrupts global energy supplies and raises prices, China’s leadership is more concerned about the political implications than the economic fallout. The regime’s fear of a “demonstration effect” from Iran’s instability underscores its anxiety about maintaining power amid growing internal and external pressures.

Read the full report at the publisher’s website here.