Aren't all these panels coming from China anyway? Iran could do this and keep its iron grip, no?

China is not the enemy

If we look at the events at a higher level:

- Israel used to destabilize

- China used to build

It's pretty consistent

And from what i recall, Iran doesn't really trust China as a partner

> Aren't all these panels coming from China anyway

Turkiye not China in this case. Turkiye has a large PV fabrication industry as well [0][1][2][3] and it's Turkish companies that are leading reconstruction with Qatari, Saudi, and Emirati capital [4].

The Turkish company selected for most of these projects (Kalyon Group) is also in the PV fabrication business and Erdogan aligned.

[0] - https://cw-enerji.com/en/cw-enerji-library/cw-enerji-one-of-...

[1] - https://www.kivancsolar.com/en/corporate

[2] - https://smartsolar.com.tr/en/hakkimizda.html

[3] - https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/08/kalyon-pv-begins-prod...

[4] - https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/suriyenin-enerji-sektorune-...

> Turkiye not China in this case.

Not sure if you're referring to Syria or Iran, but the article explictly states that the solar in Syria is coming from China:

"Syria’s high level of solar panels reflects the combination of a broken-down grid during its long civil war, and the sudden rush of cheap China-made panels and batteries."

I did not know, cool info!

Yep. The name of the game right now in MENA is grabbing a chunk of Syria's reconstruction and development business [0] because it's a $200B bonanza [1] that can also now be connected with the IMEC bonanza [2], with Qatari, Saudi, and Emirati funds all competing against each other and leveraging EPCs and vendors that they have stakes or partnerships with across MENA, Europe, the US, and Asia.

[0] - https://www.arabnews.com/node/2649484/middle-east

[1] - https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/07/...

[2] - https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901922

I don't think that's a reasonable description of Syria, which is more of a failed state.

But yes, generally westernizing works out better for all concerned.

Well, it works out better for the West...

Western solar panels come with subscription and remote kill switch.

Iran is trying to build grid on atomic powerplants, because solar is frankly not enough nor reliable!

They may also want to replace the Supreme leader with a CIA, Al-Qaeeda, ISIS and Nusra-Front veteran to get taken off the State-Sponsor-of-Terror list.

Or intentionally repatriate colonial administrators who oversaw torture of misbehaving natives and place them in cushy government positions back in the metropole.

Or repeatedly elect ex-Irgun and Lehi terrorist leaders into the highest positions of government.

Or just Winston Churchill the hell out of it and be proud of your past crimes.

etc etc