Research Information System
EURASIAN STUDIES, vol.30, no.63, pp.5-28, 2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
On 27 March 2021, Iranian and Chinese Foreign
Ministers signed the Sino-Iranian 25-year
comprehensive cooperation agreement, which
stands as a pivotal milestone in the evolving
dynamics of international relations, particularly
in the context of the intricate interplay between
China and Iran. The rationale for these two countries
reaching such an agreement emerges from
a confluence of geopolitical, economic, and strategic
imperatives. Both nations envisage substantial
benefits from this collaboration, encompassing
economic investments, technological
exchanges, and geopolitical leverage. China’s
heavy investments in Iran underscore its commitment
to bolstering economic ties and securing
access to resources, while Iran stands to gain
technological advancements and infrastructural
development.
However, the implementation of this agreement
encounters a labyrinth of challenges. Foremost
among these challenges are the formidable
barriers imposed by US sanctions on Iran, which
impede the full realization of the agreement’s
potential. Geopolitical tensions, exemplified
by conflicts in Ukraine, further complicate the
landscape, casting shadows on the agreement’s
seamless execution. Amidst these challenges,
the Iranian government adopts a positive
stance, recognizing the strategic significance of
this partnership. Yet, within academic circles in
Iran, concerns and apprehensions reverberate, reflecting nuanced perspectives and raising
critical questions regarding the agreement’s
long-term implications. With all these factors in
mind, this article is intended to give the readers
a succinct overview of Sino-Iranian relations,
then proceed to focus on various facets of this
agreement, finally, this study will try to present
this agreement as a balancing act of China and
Iran through a comprehensive analysis of its underlying
rationale, benefits, challenges, and nuanced
stakeholder perspectives.