Iranian Review of Foreign Affairs

Iranian Review of Foreign Affairs

Defensive Analysis of Sino-Iranian Naval Ties: Implications for U.S. Strategic Interests in the MENA Region

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 MPhil Scholar in the Department of International Relations at Minhaj University, Lahore, Pakistan
2 Vice-Chancellor of Minhaj University, Lahore, and Professor of International Relations, Pakistan
10.22034/irfa.2025.544270.1301
Abstract
The Indian Ocean region is known for its abundant energy resources, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region is closely connected to it through trade, geopolitics, and energy security. The Indian Ocean is a crucial maritime route, enabling the transportation of oil to global markets. This interconnectedness makes the area a focal point for geopolitical rivalry, as major countries like the United States and China compete for dominance through military bases, port investments, and strategic alliances; however, the growing naval ties between China and Iran have had a significant impact on the MENA region due to a 25-year defense cooperation agreement that includes a comprehensive strategic partnership. This partnership has led to numerous military drills, information sharing, and arms agreements. Neo-realism is adopted as the analytical framework because it explains why China remains cautious, balancing its strategic support for Iran with broader economic and diplomatic goals, including the avoidance of direct conflict with the United States and its allies in the MENA region. Although this relationship does not constitute an official defense pact, this alignment indicates a growing transactional partnership driven by shared geopolitical interests in the Indian Ocean, especially in the vicinity of the Gulf of Oman. Using qualitative research methods, the study aims to assess the implications for U.S. strategic interests, as well as the trajectory of Sino-Iranian naval relations and regional security dynamics. The findings suggest that China–Iran naval cooperation could affect maritime security, energy routes, and the balance of power among major nations, prompting a reevaluation of U.S. strategic posture in the region.
Keywords
Subjects

Article Title Persian

تحلیل دفاعی روابط دریایی چین و ایران: پیامدهای آن برای منافع استراتژیک ایالات متحده در منطقه خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقا

Authors Persian

شیخ ارسلان ظفر 1
ساجید محمود شهزاد 2
1 محقق ارشد روابط بین‌الملل در دانشگاه منهاج، لاهور، پاکستان
2 معاون رئیس دانشگاه منهاج، لاهور، و استاد روابط بین‌الملل، پاکستان
Abstract Persian

منطقه اقیانوس هند به خاطر منابع انرژی فراوانش مشهور است و منطقه خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقا (خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقا) از طریق تجارت، ژئوپلیتیک و امنیت انرژی همچنان به هم پیوسته است. اقیانوس هند به عنوان یک مسیر دریایی حیاتی برای حمل و نقل نفت در سراسر جهان عمل می‌کند. این ارتباط متقابل، این منطقه را به کانون اصلی رقابت ژئوپلیتیکی تبدیل می‌کند، زیرا قدرت‌های بزرگی مانند ایالات متحده و چین برای نفوذ از طریق پایگاه‌های نظامی، سرمایه‌گذاری‌های بندری و اتحادهای استراتژیک با هم رقابت می‌کنند. با این حال، همکاری فزاینده دریایی بین چین و ایران به دلیل توافق دفاعی که 25 سال طول می‌کشد و شامل یک مشارکت استراتژیک جامع است، تأثیر قابل توجهی بر منطقه خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقا دارد. این امر منجر به رزمایش‌های نظامی متعدد، اشتراک‌گذاری اطلاعات و معاملات تسلیحاتی شده است. نئورئالیسم یک رویکرد ترجیحی در تحقیقات است زیرا توضیح می‌دهد که چرا چین محتاطانه عمل می‌کند و حمایت استراتژیک خود از ایران را با اهداف اقتصادی و دیپلماتیک گسترده‌تر متعادل می‌کند. این رویکرد شامل اجتناب از درگیری مستقیم با ایالات متحده و متحدانش در منطقه خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقا است. اگرچه این یک پیمان دفاعی رسمی نیست، اما نشان‌دهنده یک همکاری رو به رشد مبتنی بر تعاملات است که با منافع ژئوپلیتیکی مشترک در اقیانوس هند، به ویژه در نزدیکی خلیج عمان، تقویت می‌شود. این مطالعه با استفاده از روش‌های تحقیق کیفی، قصد دارد پیامدهای آن را برای منافع استراتژیک ایالات متحده و همچنین روابط دریایی چین و ایران و دیدگاه‌های منطقه‌ای ارزیابی کند. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که همکاری دریایی چین و ایران می‌تواند بر امنیت دریایی، مسیرهای انرژی و تعادل قدرت منطقه‌ای بین کشورهای بزرگ تأثیر بگذارد و باعث ارزیابی مجدد استراتژی ایالات متحده در منطقه شود.

Keywords Persian

اقیانوس هند
خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقا
ایالات متحده
چین و ایران
خلیج عمان
نئورئالیسم
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Volume 16, Issue 1 - Serial Number 41
September 2025
Pages 129-148

  • Receive Date 31 August 2025
  • Accept Date 02 September 2025