ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the phases in Sino-Iranian relations after the Cold War. Today the most important determinants of Sino-Iranian relations are the energy factor on the part of China and the efforts to overcome international isolation on the part of Iran. Relations were interrupted with the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and as Iran sided with the USA during the Cold War. Seeing the Soviet Union as seeking expansion in the developing world, China considered Iran as the biggest barrier against the spread of Soviet power to the energy rich Middle East. Russia and China objected to United States (US) efforts to isolate Iran and especially Washington's attempt to make possible military intervention against Iran acceptable by bringing the issue to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). China demanded that the issue be dealt with through diplomacy, proactively aiming to prevent another US intervention in the Middle East after Iraq and Afghanistan.
