Analysis of the Iran-China 25-Year Strategic Cooperation Program and the Challenges of its Implementation

The cooperation document between Iran and China has raised many questions so far. Within the framework of defensive neorealism, this research attempts to answer these questions, what factors were effective in concluding the 25-year strategic cooperation program between Iran and China? What are the challenges of the full implementation of the mentioned strategic cooperation program? In response to the research questions, this hypothesis has been proposed that the West's disobedience in fulfilling its obligations under the JCPOA, the maximum pressure of America, the need of Iran's economy to attract capital and technology, and the effort to enjoy China's support in international forums may be the main effective factors in concluding the 25-year strategic cooperation program between Iran and China. Therefore, China considers Iran as a potential asset in West Asia and also a potential ally. But the implementation of this contract faces challenges for various reasons. The research results indicate that China's regional balance law and U.S. sanctions limit relations of China with Iran. Despite the strategic factors behind China-Iran partnership, China's growing involvement in the Middle East over the past two decades and its relations with Iran's regional opponents act as limiting and challenging factors in their bilateral relations. This article employs a comparative research approach and relies on library resources for gathering information. This research has focused on the affecting factors in concluding the 25-years strategic cooperation program and the challenges of its implementation, examining the history of cooperation between Iran and China.