Chinese Middle East expert Li Zixin stated that Iran would face significant economic pain from US sanctions but that pain would not necessarily translate into political capitulation, and that harsher sanctions would empower Iran's hardliners and narrow diplomatic space.

reported by one outlet so far · Attributed statement · first recorded Aug 25, 4:30 AM

How each outlet reported it

CGTNChinese state media · Aug 25, 4:01 AM

Li Zixin stated Iran would face significant economic pain but impact would not necessarily translate into political capitulation

Cites: Li Zixin, Middle East expert China Institute of International Studies · Details: economic pain; not necessarily political capitulation

CGTNChinese state media · Aug 25, 4:01 AM

Harsher US sanctions would cause Iran's hardliners to gain upper hand and narrow diplomatic space

Cites: Li Zixin · Details: harsher sanctions; hardliners gain upper hand; narrowing space for diplomacy