Iran and China’s Revisionism in the International System: Challenges and Achievements of the 25-Year Agreement

Document Type : Research

Author

PhD in International Relations, Kharazmi University

Abstract

The 25-year agreement between Iran and China is one of the most significant agreements for Iran since the Islamic Revolution, occurring during a transitional period toward a new international political order. Amid intense competition between the U.S. and China, finding a new and impactful role for countries like Iran is crucial. This study focuses on the effects and outcomes of the 25-year agreement between the two countries, aiming to answer the question: What are the implications of this agreement for Iran and China? The article hypothesizes that the strategic partnership benefits both sides, with Iran gaining economic advantages, becoming a stabilizing force in the region, and strengthening its role in the Middle East, while China secures access to cheap oil, sells high-priced goods to Iran, and uses Iran as a counterbalance to the U.S., diverting American attention from East Asia. The findings indicate that, based on revisionism in the international system, Iran and China are closely aligned. China, as an unlimited-revisionist actor, seeks global hegemony, while Iran, as a limited-revisionist actor, aims to enhance its international standing and maintain its regional role in West Asia. The study employs the trend impact analysis method and the theoretical framework of revisionist states.

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References

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International Political Economy Studies
Volume 8, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
September 2025
Pages 153-168

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 29 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 22 February 2025

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