Iran & China

As the Washington Post reports, China and Russia appear to be lowering their objections to referring Iran to the Security Council, but I don't think that means they (and China in particular) will support sanctions against Iran. Russia has built and is providing fuel for nuclear reactors in Iran (at Bushehr), and may be wary of being forced to give up the money it provides. China also will likely oppose sanctions against Iran. According to Reuters, 12 percent of Chinese oil imports (of the 42.9% of its demand that is imported) come from Iran, and since Iran is the 4th largest oil exporter in the world, the effect on oil prices would hurt the Chinese economy (as well as the rest of the oil-importing world). That is not to say that the sanctions may not be necessary, and may help China if it becomes a choice between sanctions and a U.S. invasion of Iran.