Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
PhD student in International Relations,, Department of Political Science Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Iran and China, as two strategic political and security partners, play a significant role in the West Asian region. In this context, Israel’s policies seek to exert a negative influence on their interactions. The primary objective of this study, following an explanatory approach, is to analyze the impact of Israel’s policies on Iran-China relations. The central research question is: What are the key factors shaping Israel’s role in Iran-China relations in West Asia between 2006 and 2021? The findings indicate that Israel’s approach to Iran-China relations follows the logic of both hard and soft balancing, aiming to diminish Iran’s power and weaken its ties with China. To this end, Israel has sought to highlight political Islam as a common threat with China, push Beijing toward imposing sanctions on Iran, strengthen China’s relations with the Arab Gulf states, amplify Iranophobia in China, engage in lobbying against Iranian interests in China, disrupt military cooperation between Iran and China, oppose the 25-year Iran-China agreement, and influence their relations in the context of the Syrian crisis.
Keywords
)