Most strategic commentators view Iran as an integral component of the Russia-China grouping. As a result of the US withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear deal/Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015, there is no doubt that Iran’s ties with US have witnessed a serious deterioration and Tehran’s proximity with Beijing and Moscow has increased. In 2021, Iran and China signed a 25-year agreement, referred to as ‘strategic accord’ which sought to strengthen economic, defence and security relations. The agreement was signed during the tenure of Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani’s successor Ebrahim Raisi has been seeking to further strengthen ties with China, and has referred to as an ‘Asia centric’ policy which focuses on China. China has been purchasing oil from Iran in spite of US sanctions.