China launches funded workshops with Iran to assess rare earth potential

The National Natural Science Foundation of China disclosed a collaborative program with Iran to hold a series of workshops on the exploration and processing of rare earth elements, allocating about $4,200 for each session. Iran's National Science Foundation will manage travel logistics and accommodations for Chinese researchers, with reciprocal arrangements for Iranian participants. The timing coincides with ongoing U.S.-Iran hostilities and a forthcoming trip by Xi Jinping to the United States, raising concerns in Washington.

While China already leads global rare-earth production, the modest funding suggests a scouting effort to gauge the size and viability of Iran's central-region deposits. Iranian officials see the partnership as a way to secure supply chains for electronics and weapons amid tightening sanctions. U.S. think tanks have highlighted both the strategic risk for China and the potential benefit for Iran's mineral development. The workshops could inform future investment decisions depending on the findings.