Strategic Cooperation between China and Iran in the Middle East: Transition from American to Chinese order

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor - Faculty of Law and Political Science - Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan Branch - Iran.

2 PhD student. Faculty of Law and Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan Branch, Iran.

Abstract

The paper focuses on the rivalry between China and the United States in the Middle East and examines how China has acted in the face of US sanctions against Iran, despite the threat of sanctions for countries that violate them. Iran is facing sanctions whose purpose is economic collapse and pressure on this country to submit to the demands of the United States. Tensions between the United States and Iran have been steadily rising since the country withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018. However, in addition to internal challenges for Iran, sanctions are also an obstacle for foreign relations. Due to the maximum pressure policy of the United States with the aim of economic isolation of Iran, trade is facing difficulties. Iran must maintain its most important trading partners to ensure a degree of economic stability. While China is Iran's biggest trading partner, it has to deal with these conditions. In various sectors, sanctions are obstacles in the way of China-Iran relations, such as investment, crude oil trade or the implementation of projects in Iran. These are the challenges that both countries must overcome to maintain exchanges. Considering that sanctions are the main factor preventing the continuation of relations between these two countries, this research asks: Why does China want to maintain close relations with Iran despite US sanctions? And what effects does China's rise to power have on the relations of this emerging power with America in the Middle East region?

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 March 2023
  • Revise Date: 14 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 30 May 2024

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