List of Iran Allies: Nations Backing Tehran as War Threat Intensifies

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For more than a month now, the world is split into two, those who are Iran allies and others that stay on the United States’ side. The sweeping U.S.–Israel strikes that led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have rapidly escalated into the brink of a broader war. 

Although both sides agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire on April 7, casualties and destruction continue to rise. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has only deepened the crisis, amplifying its global repercussions. 

To understand the disruption better, here’s everything to know about some countries that are publicly identified as Iran allies, as per USA Today and Al Jazeera. 

List of Iran Allies Across Continents 

China 

As one of Iran’s largest oil buyers, China maintains a strategic yet pragmatic relationship with Tehran. This partnership was formalized in 2021 through a 25-year cooperation agreement tied to energy expansion and the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Since the start of the wide-ranging U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran, China strongly condemned the practice, citing violation of the UN Charter and international law. Despite its sharp rhetoric, Beijing has refrained from offering substantial assistance, signaling a measured and cautious stance. 

Analysts describe the relationship as stable but carefully calibrated, driven primarily by economic interests.

Russia 

Russia’s alliance with Iran is anchored in a 2025 strategic partnership covering trade, defense, and broader cooperation. The agreement deepened military and intelligence coordination while advancing transport corridors linking Russia to the Gulf via Iran.

However, the treaty lacks a mutual defense clause, limiting Moscow’s formal obligations. Russian foreign policy analyst Andrey Kortunov said Russia is unlikely to intervene militarily, citing high strategic risks, as per Al Jazeera.

Long before the ongoing war, in June 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow, condemning prior U.S. attacks as unjustified and “groundless.” 

North Korea 

North Korea has denounced U.S. strikes on Iran, framing them as a severe breach of sovereignty and a violation of international law. In statements carried by state media, Pyongyang accused Washington of undermining Iran’s territorial integrity and security interests, while portraying the attacks as a destabilizing act in an already volatile region. 

Other Countries Often Tied as Iran Allies 

Lebanon

Lebanon remains a pivotal node in Iran’s regional influence, bonded by its longstanding relationship with Hezbollah, a Shiite political and militant group labeled a terrorist organization by the United States. 

Established in the early 1980s during Lebanon’s civil war, the group arose in response to Israeli incursions and evolved into a prominent Iran-aligned force challenging Israeli presence in the region. 

Iraq

With a nearly 1,000-mile frontier linking the two nations, Iraq functions as a central player for Iran’s influence across the region, reinforced through its ties to powerful Shiite militias such as Kataib Hezbollah, the Badr Organization, and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq. These groups form part of a broader network through which Tehran extends its military and political reach inside the country.

The tensions reached a peak in January 2020, when Iran launched a barrage of more than a dozen ballistic missiles targeting the U.S.

Syria

Syria was once one of Iran’s closest regional allies, particularly during the Iran-Iraq war, but those ties have weakened significantly following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. In December 2024, opposition forces seized control of key cities, triggering the collapse of his government and forcing Assad to flee with his family to Russia. 

Yemen

Yemen has become a key front in the conflict, where Iran operates through its proxy, the Houthi movement, which has repeatedly targeted American ships in the Red Sea. These attacks triggered sustained U.S. airstrikes aimed at protecting vital shipping routes.

In early May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an immediate halt to the campaign after the Houthis signaled a willingness to de-escalate.

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