Iran introduced its policy of “Look East” or “Negah beh Sahragh” nearly two decades ago. The policy sought to prioritize relations with Asian countries, especially China, but also with Russia and Central Asia. But it has only been vigorously pursued in the last few years, especially since the hardline government of President Ebrahim Raisi came to power in 2021. During the presidency of Hassan
Rouhani (2013-2021), a moderate politician, Iran, though it did not ignore Asia, was more focused on resolving its disputes with Western powers, particularly the controversy over the nuclear program. Nevertheless, the groundwork for the twenty-five-year-old partnership agreement with China was completed during Rouhani’s term in office and it was signed in the final year of his administration.
To some extent, Iran’s growing interest in Asia and its rising powers, notably China, but also India, was expected. These states have become important global economic and political powers. Therefore, they could be important economic and trade partners for Iran as well as sources of investment. They, especially China, have also become significant players in the Gulf and the Middle East. It was thus a logical step for Iran to bolster its ties with them. Meanwhile, Russia and Central Asia are close to Iran geographically, meaning developments in the region and shifts in the policies of Moscow and some Central Asian states directly affect Iran’s security interests. However, these were not the only reasons behind Iran’s Look East strategy. Two other factors also contributed to this shift: differences within Iran’s leadership regarding the direction of its foreign policy, especially the nature of its relations with the West, and Iran’s disappointment with the West, which had been unresponsive to Tehran’s overtures.
