Driving the news:
Khandouzi made the remarks during a specialized meeting on “Iran-China Economic Cooperation Opportunities,” where he emphasized that the center of global economic gravity is steadily moving away from the West to the East.
Why it matters:
Khandouzi’s remarks reflect growing calls in Tehran for a more coherent and proactive eastern-oriented policy, driven by shifting global dynamics and prolonged tensions with the West.
What he is saying:
“Between 2002 and 2022, China’s share of global GDP increased from about 8% to nearly 19%, while that of the United States and the European Union declined,” Khandouzi stated, adding, “This shift means Iran must prepare for a new global reality.”
Despite China being Iran’s largest trading partner, he pointed out that “there is still dissatisfaction with the current level of economic relations.”
He identified “bureaucratic resistance and lack of coordination at the managerial level” as key barriers to fully realizing the potential of the partnership.
“We still haven’t made a decisive policy or executive decision about the kind of strategic engagement we want with China,” he said. “Unfortunately, two outdated mindsets persist — the ‘spare tire’ approach of the 1990s and today’s ‘late-night supermarket’ view. In both cases, China is only taken seriously when other options are exhausted.”
“Partnership with China doesn’t mean severing ties with the West,” Khandouzi emphasized. “Iran’s engagement with the global economy is essential, but it must evolve into a strategic partnership with the East — not just a buyer-seller relationship.”
He also stressed that closer economic and security ties with China could become a “long-term pillar for Iran’s stability and development.”
Khandouzi concluded by urging the establishment of a national dialogue to consolidate Iran’s shift toward the East:
“If this approach becomes a national discourse, we can witness a new chapter in Iran-China relations — one where Iran stands at a higher level of international engagement, supported by its eastern partners.”
The big picture:
China is Iran’s top oil buyer and a key partner in finance, infrastructure, and trade. However, progress on major projects — including those related to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) — has been slow.
Key points:
- China’s share of global GDP has more than doubled in two decades.
- Khandouzi believes Iran must adapt to a world where economic power is increasingly shifting to the East.
- He calls for a national consensus on redefining Iran’s role in the new global order.
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