Jonathan Fulton, a leading China-Persian Gulf scholar, warned U.S. policymakers not to misread China’s proposed strategic partnership with Iran, which has sparked widespread concern in Washington.

Fulton testified towards the end of a day-long hearing on Wednesday organized by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Although the hearing was largely focused on the current difficulties in U.S.-China relations, Fulton’s comments highlighted the importance that officials in Washington attach to China’s ties in the Persian Gulf in general and with Iran in particular.