خلاصة:
Despite the fact that China has a prominent role in Iran's
Look East Policy, particularly during Mahmood Ahmadinejad’s presidency, why requirements were not provided for a comprehensive and strategic cooperation between Iran and Beijing is a key question. From the viewpoint of the author, some challenges such as lobbying by regional competitors, America's influential role, structural tensions resulted from international system and various expectations from bilateral relations has led Iran’s foreign policy to not have successful relations with Beijing. Using the theory of defensive realism, this article indicates that the above-mentioned strategy in Iran's foreign policy is affected by two factors; foreign factor and leaders' perception; hence, the reason of not enhancing relations to higher levels of all-out cooperation is also influenced by these two factors. This article will conclude that attempts for diversifying diplomatic resources, avoiding inculcation of inevitable feelings for development of relations with the other side, consistency in decision making, enhancing Iran's diplomatic activities through applying multilateral diplomacy, avoiding third force tactics and emphasizing on balance in relations with the West and the East can be among the agendas which place the future of Iran-China relations in line with national interests.
ملخص الجهاز:
From this article's point of view, by considering the "Look East Policy" as an independent variable and Iran-China relations as a dependent one, it could be said that although it was expected that China's status would be enhanced in Iran's foreign policy and the ground for deepening relations and comprehensive cooperation would be provided in this approach, it was not accomplished after nearly eight years.
1. Defensive Realism as a Theoretical Approach to Iran-China Relations One of the most important issues, needing to be considered in the foreign policy of the countries is the concurrent role of foreign and interior variables in shaping orientation and strategies.
• The Look East Policy and China's status in pre-Ahmadinejad presidency The special economic, cultural and geographical position of Iran has always led the ruling elite to follow equilibrium logic in the international policy game in order to preserve interests related to the West and the East; this logic encouraged to develop cooperation with one side hoping to avoid the greedy act of the other side in a given period.
Similar to the "Neither East, Nor West" view dominating the general framework of Iran's foreign policy from the early days of Islamic Republic, the Look East policy has always been under other strategies of Iran's foreign relations where China has played an important role.
Furthermore, internal political changes and dominating a different attitude in foreign policy led the delicate structure of power inside the Iranian society to change the Look East strategy and to develop relations with countries such as China into an interactive priority.