‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

China's "One Belt, One Road" Initiative and Iran's Political Economy (2013-2021)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Seyedmahdi Sedaghat 1
reza simbar 2

1 Employee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

2 university of guilan

https://doi.org/10.22034/ca.2026.2056083.1872
Abstract
China's "One Belt, One Road" Initiative and Iran's Political Economy (2013-2021)

Abstract: The "One Belt, One Road" initiative, designed and implemented in 2013 as one of the largest economic projects, was proposed with the aim of strengthening China's position as a global power in the economic, trade, and political spheres. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran is known as one of the key nodes of this plan due to its strategic location in the North-South and East-West transportation corridors, as well as its rich energy resources. The purpose of this research is to examine the opportunities and challenges of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative for Iran's political economy. The results indicate that this initiative can strengthen Iran's geopolitical position in the region, while developing key Iranian infrastructure, including transportation and energy, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening economic relations with countries along the path of the plan. But on the other hand, greater economic and political dependence on China, increased imports of Chinese goods, lack of transparency in investments, and problems resulting from international sanctions are among the challenges that Iran will face in dealing with this plan.

Keywords

: One Belt One Road Initiative
China
Islamic Republic of Iran
political economy
opportunities
challenges
Subjects
‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal
Volume 32, Issue 133
Spring 2026
Pages 3-30

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