Reimagining the geopolitical and strategic role of Iran in China’s Belt and Road Initiative

As China expands its global influence through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Iran emerges as a geo-strategically vital player bridging East and West. Situated at the nexus of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, Iran’s geographic and infrastructural assets position it as a potential linchpin in Beijing’s vision of transcontinental connectivity. Despite facing international sanctions and enduring political isolation, Iran offers China overland access to Europe and maritime reach via the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This study employs a qualitative geopolitical and geo-economic analysis based on secondary sources, policy documents, and connectivity assessments to examine Iran’s strategic relevance within the BRI framework. The analysis focuses on key assets such as the Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports, the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and transnational rail and road links. It further assesses the implications of the 25-year Sino-Iranian cooperation agreement, which has deepened bilateral ties in infrastructure, energy, and security sectors. The study finds that although sanctions, regional rivalries, and economic vulnerabilities constrain Iran’s integration into the BRI, Iran nevertheless remains strategically significant within China’s broader connectivity and energy security strategy. By applying geopolitical and geo-economic frameworks, the paper argues that Iran’s engagement in the BRI reflects a broader shift toward multipolarity in the global order and redefines regional alignments in West Asia.