"Given the French goverment's recent capitulations, I would expect France to use their nuclear weapons on themselves." Even the mediots have remarked about the constraint shown by the Paris Police. France, Germany, and Italy all have severe economic issues. The additional pressures of Iran shutting off some of the oil, and demands from their people to restore economic socialism; would cause these governments to go medieval in policy with modern (including nuclear) weaponry. And they will blame America while demanding another Marshall Plan bailout.
On a more pertinent note, does anybody remember the last time that China called an emergency session or unscheduled meeting of the UNSC? The PRC is not known for being reactionary. Central planning with multiple contingencies is more their style. They had already summoned the Saudi's and received the guarantees. It almost seems like PRC is going to propose Chinese peacekeeping/advisory forces in Iran, or the Strait.
While I agree with much of you're saying, who knows what's to come?
But, "The PRC is not known for being reactionary"?
C'mon. Give me a break here. I assume you mean on the global stage and not domestically.
Anyway, off to bed.