Document Type : Original Article from Result of Thesis
Highlights
Introduction
The March 2023 agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China, is considered one of the significant developments in regional diplomacy in the Middle East. This development emerged within a context in which the Middle East has consistently been regarded as one of the world’s most sensitive and strategic regions, due to its exceptional geopolitical position, abundant energy resources, and longstanding conflicts. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as two influential regional actors, have in recent decades been marked by serious tensions stemming from political, religious, and security differences.
The main issue of this study is to explain the role and impact of China’s Middle East objectives on the formation of the March 2023 agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The central research question is: what impact have China’s Middle East objectives had on this agreement? The aim of the study is to analyze China’s role as a mediator and to examine the consequences of this agreement for bilateral relations and for the region’s security and economic dynamics. The research adopts a qualitative and analytical approach, drawing on official documents and scholarly articles.
China’s economic motivations—particularly its need to secure a stable energy supply and maintain balanced relations with both countries—have been a key factor in its mediation. Additionally, the willingness of Iran and Saudi Arabia to reduce tensions, promote economic development, and improve trade relations created the conditions for accepting this role. Overall, China, through diplomacy based on shared interests, has played an effective role in reducing tensions.
Research Methodology
This research adopts a qualitative approach. Data are collected through the examination of documents, academic articles, and credible international sources. In addition, primary Arabic and English sources are used as part of the research data. Furthermore, this research uses the conceptual framework of balance of interests to analyze the impact of China’s objectives on this agreement.
Research Findings and Results
Examining China’s role in the March 2023 agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this research indicates that China, as a regional and global power, relying on balancing policy and an indirect approach, played significant roles in shaping and facilitating this agreement. China, emphasizing the preservation of its economic and security interests in the Middle East, particularly through strengthening trade and energy relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia, acted as a mediator in the negotiation process.
By using its economic and diplomatic capacities, China was able to create an environment in which Iran and Saudi Arabia, despite long-standing rivalries, reached an agreement and worked toward reducing regional tensions. In particular, through creating conditions for economic cooperation, China indirectly helped reduce political and security disagreements between the two countries. In this way, China not only emerged as an effective mediator in resolving regional crises, but also, by emphasizing balancing and multilateral policies, contributed to enhancing regional stability and security.
In line with China’s long-term objectives in the Middle East, this country indirectly played a role in the formation of the March 2023 agreement process. On one hand, by maintaining broad economic relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia, China sought to secure its energy supply and strengthen its position in global energy resource access; on the other hand, by strengthening political and economic relations, China aimed to consolidate its position in the region. This approach, in addition to securing China’s interests, strengthened China’s role as an effective regional actor in the Middle East and in global geopolitical developments.
Ultimately, by utilizing a balance of interests policy in the region, China was able to play a central and effective role in facilitating the Iran–Saudi agreement. By considering the complex and diverse interests of each party, China helped create a favorable environment for achieving an agreement. As a regional actor, by applying balancing policies and maintaining equilibrium between the interests of the two countries, China made it possible to achieve a sustainable and long-term agreement. Furthermore, the behavioral model resulting from the Iran–Saudi agreement directly contributed to the realization of China’s regional strategies and its broader Middle Eastern objectives.
