Iran is described as a strategic asset for China, and a target the US may move against next — bad news for Tehran, and a warning sign of wider confrontation.

• Iran is grouped with China, Russia, Cuba and Venezuela as a bloc working against US interests.
• Iran's main value in that bloc is oil: it is a major energy supplier to China.
• Washington has already acted on Venezuela and keeps mentioning Cuba, suggesting Iran could be next.
• Trump's harder line on Iran is framed as part of containing China rather than a standalone Middle East fight.

Outlook: Expect more US pressure on Iran, aimed as much at cutting China's energy lifeline as at Tehran itself.