How U.S. Drove Iran and China Into Tighter Embrace

Since its Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran’s foreign policy motto has been “neither East nor West,” based on first Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s warning to avoid dependence on outsiders. Under the pressure of U.S. measures aimed at crippling its economy, however, Iran has grown ever closer to America’s principal rival, China, and vice versa. The two are said to be contemplating a 25-year strategic partnership.