China’s Role in the Relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia and Middle Eastern Security Order
Subject Areas : Political Sciences- International RelationsSaeed Totonchi 1 , مجید گل پرور 2 , ali bagheri zadeh 3
1 - Ph.D. Candidate, Department of International Relations, Rafsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan, Iran
2 - Department of International Relations, Baft Branch, Islamic Azad University, Baft, iran
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Rafsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan, Iran
Keywords: China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Security Order, Middle East,
Abstract :
China’s role in the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as in the Middle Eastern security order, is a complex and multifaceted issue with significant implications for the geopolitical and security landscape of the region. As a signatory of the JCPOA and a major economic partner of Iran, China seeks to reduce tensions and promote stability in the Middle East through multilateral diplomacy and political mediation. Additionally, by meeting Iran's energy needs and investing in infrastructure projects, China has strengthened its strategic relationship with Tehran. These economic ties enable China to influence Iran’s nuclear policies. China also plays a calming role in the relationship between Tehran and Riyadh by offering economic opportunities to Saudi Arabia, leading to reduced tensions and enhanced regional stability. By emphasizing economic diplomacy and political mediation, China aims to prevent further crises and contribute to stability and security in the region. Consequently, China plays a crucial role in maintaining the Middle Eastern security order.
منابع فارسی
• سایت ریاست جمهوری در بیانیه مشترک ایران و چین تاکید شده است. اهمیت روابط نزدیک رهبران ایران و چین در تعمیق مشارکت راهبردی همه جانبه/حمایت قاطع از حاکمیت ملی، تمامیت ارضی، عزت ملی طرفین، بهمن 1402، https://www.president.ir/fa/142506..
• مصاحبه نویسندگان با غلامعلی خوشرو، تهران، 11 شهریور 1390.
• مصاحبه نویسندگان با محسن شریعتی نیا، تهران، ۸ دی 1401
• وزارت امور خارجه جمهوری اسلامی ایران. (2020). نسخه نهایی: برنامه جامع همکاری (25 ساله) ایران و چین. تهران: وزارت امور خارجه جمهوری اسلامی ایران.صص3.
منابع لاتین
• Atwood, K., & Cohn, Z. (2020, August 20). Kushner's secret push to sell F-35 jets to UAE causes frustration among US agencies and lawmakers [CNN Politics]. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/20/politics/kushner-uae-israel-f-35-fighterjet/index.html
• Authors' interview with Hadian, N., Tehran, October 4, 2020.
• Azodi, S. (2020, August 20). Why is Iran concerned about the peace agreement between the UAE and Israel? [Atlantic Council]. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/why-is-iran-concerned-about-the-peace-agreement-between-the-uae-and-israel/ jisrmsse.szabist.edu.pk . pp3-27.
• Barzegar, K. (2010). Iran's foreign policy strategy after Saddam. The Washington Quarterly, 33(1), 173-189. https://doi.org/10.1080/01636600903430665
• Brannon, S. (1994). Pillars, petroleum and power: The United States in the Gulf. The Arab Studies Journal, 2(1), 4-10. [invalid URL removed]
• Bruno, G. (2010, March 10). Iran's nuclear program [Council on Foreign Relations]. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/irans-nuclear-program
• Chohan, D. A., & Chandio, A. A. (2021). Gwadar Port economic zone with especial reference to US and Indian reservations on the regional part of South Asia. Journal of South Asian Studies, 9(2), 103.
• Cooper, A. S. (2012). The oil kings: How the US, Iran, and Saudi Arabia changed the balance of power in the Middle East. Simon and Schuster.
• Daryaee, T., & Daryāyī, T. (Eds.). (2012). The Oxford handbook of Iranian history. OUP USA.Pp2-10.
• Dodge, T., & Bunton, M. (2004). Inventing Iraq: The failure of nation building and a history denied. International Journal, 59(3), 737-739. https://www.proquest.com/openview/ee8e2b5c145ded1328ec774c2b17f9b9/1?pqorigsite=gscholar&cbl=40991
• Dorraj, M. (2020). The Belt and Road Initiative and China’s relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia: A delicate balancing act. Critical reflections on China’s belt & road initiative, 125-138.
• Ersoy, E. (2013). The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Middle East. USAK Yearbook of Politics and International Relations, (6), 295-298. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=319379
• Evera, S. V. (1998). Offense-defense and the causes of war. International Security, 22(4), 5-43.
• Fulton, J. (2019, June). China’s changing role in the Middle East. Atlantic Council, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Chinas_Changing_Role_in_the_Middle_East.pdf
• Garlick, J. (2020). The impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative from Asia to Europe. New York: Routledge. pp. 152–153.
• Ghiselli, A., & Giuffrida, M. G. E. (2020). China as an offshore balancer in the Middle East and North Africa. *RUSI Journal*, 165(7), 10–20.
• Guilhot, L. (2022). An analysis of China’s energy policy from 1981 to 2020: Transitioning towards a diversified and low-carbon energy system. Energy Policy, Pp162.
• Guilhot, L. (2022). An analysis of China’s energy policy from 1981 to 2020 Transitioning towards a diversified and low-carbon energy system. Energy Policy,Pp 162.
• Hadian, N. (2020). Authors’ interview, Tehran, October 4, 2020.Pp201.
• Houghton, B. (2022). China’s balancing strategy between Saudi Arabia and Iran: The view from Riyadh. *Asian Affairs*, 53(1), 140–141.
• Hudson, J., Nakashima, E., & Sly, L. (2023, April 26). Buildup resumed at suspected Chinese military site in UAE, leak says. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/04/26/chinese-military-base-uae/. Pp2-3.
• Hussain, Z. (2020, November 25). Recognizing Israel [Dawn News]. https://www.dawn.com/news/1592222
• Ighani, H. (2016, October 24). Managing the Saudi-Iran rivalry [Council on Foreign Relations]. https://www.cfr.org/report/managing-saudi-iran-rivalry.pp1-3.
• Khan, R., Mahmood, A., & Salim, A. (2020). Arab Spring Failure: A Case Study of Egypt and Syria. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 4(1), 44-53. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/4.1.5
• Li, Q., & Ye, M. (2019). China’s emerging partnership network: What, who, where, when and why. International Trade, Politics and Development, DOI:10.1108/ITPD-05-2019-0004, 41.
• Lubold, G., & Strobel, W. P. (2021, November 19). Secret Chinese port project in Persian Gulf rattles U.S. relations with U.A.E. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-china-uae-military-11637274224
• Mabon, S. (2012). The battle for Bahrain: Iranian-Saudi rivalry. Middle East Policy, 19(2), 84-97. [invalid URL removed]
• Mabon, S. (2017). Securitize Iran. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 45(5), 742-759. • Cohen, Z. (2021, December 23). US intel and satellite image show Saudi Arabia is now building its own ballistic missiles with help of China. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/23/politics/saudi-ballistic-missiles-china/index.html. Pp22.
• Mabon, S. P. (2018). Saudi Arabia and Iran: The struggle to shape the Middle East. Retrieved from https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/129059 (Note: Double-check the full URL for accuracy). P2-14.
• Markey, D. S. (2020). *China’s Western Horizon: Beijing and the new geopolitics of Eurasia*. Oxford University Press.Pp21-23.
• Milani, M. M. (1994). Iran's post-cold war policy in the Persian Gulf. International Journal, 49(2), 328-354. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002070209404900207
• Malla, M. W. (2022). China's Approach to the Iran‐Saudi Arabia Rivalry. Middle East Policy, 29(1), 25-40.
•
• Motamedi, M. (2016). Iran says 25-year China partnership agreement to be implemented. Official Website of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. https://www.president.ir/EN/91435
• Pervin, D. J., & Spiegel, S. L. (2014). Practical peacemaking in the Middle East: Arms control and regional security. Routledge.Pp 1-19.
• Quan, M. (2023). China’s emerging partnership network: What, who, where, when and why. p. 70.
• Reuters Staff. (2021, March 27). Iran and China sign 25-year cooperation agreement. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-china-idUSKBN2BJ0AD
• Safdar, M. T., & Zabin, J. (2020, August 14). What does the China-Iran deal mean for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor? The Diplomat. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2020/08/what-does-the-china-iran-deal-mean-for-the-china-pakistan-economic-corridor/
• Saleh, A., & Yazdanshenas, Z. (2020, August 9). Iran’s pact with China is bad news for the West. Foreign Policy. Retrieved from https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/09/irans-pact-with-china-is-bad-news-for-the-west/
• Shaery-Eisenlohr, R. (2008). Shi'ite Lebanon: Transnational religion and the making of national identities. Columbia University.
• Shariatinia, M. (2022). Authors’ interview, Tehran, January 29, 2022.Pp1-2.
• Shirley, E. G. (1994). The Iran policy trap. Foreign Policy, (96), 75-93. https://doi.org/10.2307/1149218
• Slawson, N. (2016, January 2). Saudi execution of Shia cleric sparks outrage in Middle East. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudiexecution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east. Pp2-16.
• Tang, S. (2003, June 21). The rise of China as a security linchpin. Asia Times.pp2-29.
• Waltz, K. N. (1979). Theories of international politics. Addison-Wesley Publishing.
• Zehra, S., Fatima, N., & Khan, N. K. (2018). Iranian-Saudi Strategic Competition in the Middle East: An Analysis of the Arab Spring. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2(2), 59-66. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/2.2.7
• Zehra, S., Imtiaz, A., & Jawad Ahmed (2020). Pakistan’s Exertions of Reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, 1(1), 44-52. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.jhsms/1.1.4. Pp 1-17
• Zikriya, Khan, N., & Salim, A. (2019). The Middle Eastern Dilemma: Pakistan’s Role as Mediator for Conflict Resolution. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 3(1), 9-18. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/3.1.22018). Muting the trumpets of the sabotage: Saudi Arabia, the US and the quest to
