СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ПОЛИТИКА И ГЕОПОЛИТИКА http://dx.doi.org/10.18611/2221-3279-2018-9-1-60-73 THE FUTURE OF IRAN-CHINA RELATIONS: AN ALLIANCE OR PURE COOPERATION? Ali Bagheri Dolatabadi Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran Rouhollah Zarei Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran Article history: Abstract: The future of the Iranian political relations with other countries especially China in the post-nuclear-agreement Received: era is of serious importance in the Iranian foreign policy in the 14 July 2017 Rouhani administration. Despite turbulences in the relations of the two countries in recent years, theirs have been stronger than Accepted:: the trade relations between Iran and western countries. For this 11 December 2017 reason, the shift from ordinary to strategic relations between Iran and China is attracting serious attention in the political circles About the authors: in Iran. The supporters argue for the present and future stance of Ali Bagheri Dolatabadi, China in the international society and its constructive role during Assistant Professor, Department of Political the western-imposed sanctions against Iran. The opponents refer Sciences, Yasouj University, Iran to the poorer Chinese technology as opposed to their Western rivals and to ambivalent and at time anti-Iranian stances Beijing e-mail:
[email protected] adopted in the Iranian nuclear problem. The question this paper seeks to answer is whether there is a possibility of the promotion Rouhollah Zarei, Assistant Professor, of the relations of the two countries in future and the possible Department of English, Yasouj University, Iran obstacles in the way. e-mail:
[email protected] Key words: Iran; China; energy; alliance; cooperation; United States; diplomacy Introduction goods have been affordable, their quality has been constantly criticized by Iranians.