China is closely studying the ongoing Iran conflict to draw lessons for a potential future confrontation with the United States, particularly over Taiwan, according to analysts and military experts cited in a CNN report.

As the war in the Middle East enters its third month, Chinese observers say the fighting is offering rare insight into how US forces operate under real combat conditions, including their use of advanced systems such as Patriot and THAAD missile defences alongside long-range strike aircraft.

Fu Qianshao, a former Chinese air force colonel, said the Iran conflict highlights the need for China to strengthen its own defensive capabilities, warning that even advanced systems can be penetrated by low-cost drones and missiles.

“We need to identify weaknesses in our defensive side to ensure we remain prepared for future wars,” he said.

Analysts note that while China has rapidly expanded its offensive military capabilities, including hypersonic missiles and stealth aircraft, its defensive systems may still face challenges in a high-intensity conflict.

The report also highlights concerns in Taiwan, where officials and defence analysts warn that China could combine large-scale drone swarms with long-range precision strikes in any future military operation.

Taiwan is reportedly working to improve its counter-drone capabilities, but experts say gaps remain.

China is already a global leader in drone manufacturing, with some estimates suggesting civilian production capacity could be rapidly converted for military use on a massive scale.

However, analysts caution that battlefield success does not automatically translate into political outcomes.

Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies said the Iran war shows that military pressure alone may not deliver a lasting settlement.

The report also underscores China’s lack of modern combat experience compared with the United States, which has fought multiple wars in recent decades.

Experts say that experience could give US forces an advantage in adaptability and battlefield decision-making.

Military analysts also warn that any conflict involving Taiwan would likely have global consequences, disrupting trade routes and energy supplies and drawing in multiple international actors.

Drew Thompson of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies noted that modern conflicts are rarely contained, pointing to the Strait of Hormuz disruptions as an example of how regional wars can quickly become global in impact.

Overall, experts say both China and the United States are closely studying the Iran conflict, but each may draw different conclusions as they prepare for potential future flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific region.