@S_Akbarzadeh and my view about the #ChinaIranDeal
via @MiddleEastInst. A few takeaways. #Thread
1/5 The cooperation document includes significant energy and infrastructure projects vital for Iran’s development and future of oil export.
mei.edu/publications/i…
#Iran #China
via @MiddleEastInst. A few takeaways. #Thread
1/5 The cooperation document includes significant energy and infrastructure projects vital for Iran’s development and future of oil export.
mei.edu/publications/i…
#Iran #China
2/5 This includes South-North corridor (#Chabahar-Central Asia), South-West corridor (Chabahar and Bandar Abbas-Turkey and Azerbaijan), and the Pakistan-Iran-Iraq-Syria “pilgrimage railroad”. Notable also: Iran's “active participation” in #BeltandRoad.
3/5 The most alarming aspect relates to cooperation in #telecommunication sector. It is going to provide Iran with know-how and equipment to enable its full decoupling from the global internet and form the dreaded National Information Network, similar to #ChinaGreatFirewall.
4/5 However, given the current condition of #Iransanctions, this treaty is not feasible. A legal, financial, and political miracle is needed to make this sweeping cooperation with Iran possible in light of Washington’s harsh sanctions.
5/5 Why now? The revival of the cooperation concept coincides with heightened tensions in #ChinaUSRelations. So the re-emergence of the proposed treaty might be another instance of China using Iran-card to challenge the U.S.
