News that China and Iran were in late-stage talks to finalize a 25-year, $400 billion deal generated an alarming response in the U.S. and Europe, prompting widespread concern that a new, enhanced partnership between these two countries would mark a dramatic challenge to United States hegemony and the larger international order.
But now that a purported copy of the 18-page “Iran-China 25-year Comprehensive Partnership” was leaked online (given how rarely Chinese documents like this leak, a bit of skepticism may be in order) and China-Mideast analysts have had a chance to review it, many now say the proposed deal may not be as exceptional as it’s been characterized in the U.S and Europe.
