This study examines the transformation of China’s national security logic under Xi Jinping and its reflection in Beijing’s behavior in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on its implications for Iran. The central question is what changes the document China’s National Security in the New Era reveals in China’s strategic security logic and how these changes are reflected in its approach toward the Middle East and Iran. The study hypothesizes that the 2025 document does not represent a complete departure from the past; rather, it provides a more coherent formulation of a security logic developed under Xi Jinping. Within this framework, national security constitutes an interconnected system in which political security and the continuity of Communist Party leadership remain paramount, while economic, technological, energy, supply-chain, and external security contribute to political stability, risk management, and national modernization.

The study employs a qualitative method based on documentary analysis and case studies. China’s national security document serves as the primary source, supplemented by academic literature, think-tank reports, and behavioral evidence. China’s role in the Iran–Saudi Arabia agreement and Beijing’s conduct during recent regional crises are examined to assess the limits of Chinese activism. The findings indicate that China is neither a passive actor nor a regional security guarantor. When instability threatens its energy security and economic interests, Beijing selectively employs diplomatic and economic instruments while avoiding binding defense commitments.