This article explores the roles of Iran and North Korea in shaping the dynamics of U.S.–China relations within the Indo-Pacific region, which has emerged as the core arena of contemporary geopolitical rivalry. The study investigates how China employs its relationships with these two states as indirect instruments of strategic leverage against U.S. policies, particularly in the realms of regional security, energy, and nuclear proliferation. It further examines the American approach toward Tehran and Pyongyang, focusing on Washington’s attempts to curtail their influence through containment strategies and reinforced regional alliances. Using a descriptive and analytical methodology, supported by academic literature and official documents, the paper interprets the interaction between major powers and active regional actors. The findings reveal that Iran and North Korea function as strategic balancing assets utilized by China to enhance its geopolitical influence vis-à-vis the United States, whereas Washington perceives both as persistent threats necessitating containment and deterrence within the broader context of the Indo-Pacific power competition.
Abdullah et al. (2026) studied this question.