CHINESE-IRANIAN RELATIONSHIPS UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE US: LIMITED COOPERATION AND LIMITED ABANDONMENT (1979‒PRESENT).

The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to maintain profound economic and political relations with the People's Republic of China. In the interim since the 1970s China has not only enjoyed diplomatic and economic relations with the US but has become its largest trading partner. Having diplomatic relations with both Washington and Tehran, as well as being a permanent member of the United Nation's Security Council the government of China has openly served a constructive role, for all its own purpose and intentions, in attempting to bring Iran and the United States (such as in the case of the 2015 nuclear negotiations or JCPOA) back to the negotiation table. The 2015 nuclear agreement in particular was important as it potentially offered both Iran and the United States with a diplomatic opportunity and a platform to de-escalate their tensions, differences, and hostilities. The agreement also meant getting rid of most sanctions and barriers in doing business openly with Iran and hence the opening of the lucrative Iranian market to the Chinese, amongst other international players. Therefore, we have witnessed triangular relations between these three states which have influenced their political, economic, and diplomatic ambitions. This article examines the US factor in China and Iran relations in order to highlight China's dual policies towards Washington and Tehran. It concluded that the US factor compels the Chinese side to pursue a dual policy towards Iran which revolves around limited cooperation and limited abandonment. At the same time, Beijing tends to tilt toward Tehran in order to send Washington a message that China would not tolerate unilateralism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]