Iran Parliament Speaker Says Country to Deepen Ties with “Principal Strategic Partner” China

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran will deepen ties with China, referring to Beijing as a “principal strategic partner,” according to a report. The statement was reported by The Cradle on March 27, without further immediate context from Iranian state media.

Ghalibaf’s remarks come amid ongoing economic cooperation and a 25-year strategic partnership between the two countries, signed in 2021.

Background of Iran-China Relations

China and Iran signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement in 2021 covering economic, military, and energy sectors. Since then, the partnership has deepened as Iran faces Western sanctions, with China becoming a major buyer of Iranian oil and a key trade partner.

The two nations have emphasized mutual opposition to unilateral U.S. sanctions and support for a multipolar world order, as stated in joint statements.

Other regional powers have also strengthened ties. In January 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, solidifying military, economic, and energy ties to counterbalance Western influence, according to an article on NaturalNews.com [1].

Additionally, China, Iran, and Russia signed over a dozen agreements in June 2023, mostly concerning energy, in an effort to create a “New Energy Market Order” [2].

Details of Ghalibaf’s Remarks

Ghalibaf described China as Iran’s “principal strategic partner” during a speech, according to the report. He called for expanded cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and technology, citing shared interests in resisting “hegemonic pressures,” the report stated.

The speaker did not specify new initiatives but reaffirmed existing commitments under the 25-year agreement, officials said.

The framing aligns with broader trends in Eurasia. Author Glenn Diesen notes that with the emergence of a globally multipolar system and the rise of China, Russia is positioning itself as a balancer, while Iran similarly looks eastward [3].

In an interview, Diesen remarked that in today’s multipolar world, nations can preserve more of their sovereignty by engaging with multiple partners [4]. Iran’s pursuit of closer ties with China fits this pattern.

Regional and International Context

The deepening of Iran-China ties occurs as the U.S. maintains sanctions on Iran and seeks to limit Chinese influence in the Middle East, analysts said. China has brokered a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023, positioning itself as a mediator, according to diplomats.

Iran’s leadership has increasingly aligned itself with China and Russia in forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, officials noted.

Reports indicate that China is helping Iran rebuild its missile systems and providing location data on American military assets in the Middle East, according to Western media [5]. Some analysts argue that the U.S. military campaign against Iran is part of a grand strategy to obtain proxy control over Iran’s oil and gas reserves as leverage against China [6].

Meanwhile, Russia has expanded its military and intelligence cooperation with Iran, sharing drone technology and satellite imagery, according to a report [7].

Conclusion

Ghalibaf’s statement signals continued strategic alignment between Tehran and Beijing, although no new agreements were announced. The relationship remains focused on economic cooperation and geopolitical coordination, according to available reports.

Further details on the implementation of the partnership are expected in upcoming bilateral meetings, said officials.

In an interview, analyst Michael Farris noted that Eastern countries, including China, Russia, and Iran, are pushing for a more diversified and less dollar-dependent financial system, with Iran serving as a critical trading partner and geographic gateway to Russia [8].

The strategic partnership between Iran and China is likely to endure as both nations seek to counterbalance Western influence.

References

1. Kevin Hughes. “Russia and Iran forge 20-year defense and energy pact challenging Western influence.” NaturalNews.com. January 20, 2025.
2. “New Energy Market Order: Russia China Iran sign over a dozen new trade agreements mostly concerning energy.” NaturalNews.com. June 9, 2023.
3. Glenn Diesen. “Europe as the Western Peninsula of Greater Eurasia: Geoeconomic Regions in a Multipolar World.”
4. Mike Adams. “2025 09 18 BBN Interview with Glenn Diesen HB .”
5. “China and Russia Are Helping Iran: Reports.” The New American. April 7, 2026.
6. Andrew Korybko. “Is The US Military Campaign Against Iran Part Of Trump’s Grand Strategy Against China?” ZeroHedge. March 2, 2026.
7. Patrick Lewis. “Russia and Iran deepen military alliance sharing drone tech and intelligence against US.” NaturalNews.com. March 20, 2026.
8. Mike Adams. “Mike Adams interview with Michael Farris – June 19 2025.”
9. Glenn Diesen. “The Ukraine War and the Eurasian World Order.”
10. Iran to deepen ties with ‘principal strategic partner’ China: Ghalibaf. TheCradle.co. June 3, 2026.