Iran seeks to deepen ties with China

Barely had the ink dried on the nuclear agreement signed in Switzerland that a senior energy delegation from Iran arrived in China, opening the first chapter to integrate Tehran into the Eurasian economic core.

Iran's Oil Minister, Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, headed for China on Wednesday, accompanied by Amir-Hossein Zamani-Nia, an accomplished former nuclear negotiator, and now the Minister's deputy for international affairs and trading. Mohsen Qamsari, the director for international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), is also part of the delegation, Iran's Press TV reported.

The visit it taking place in anticipation of the lifting of sanctions against Iran, in case the final nuclear deal between Tehran and the six global powers is signed in June.

China, which has been one of the mainstays of the Iranian economy after strict sanctions were imposed against Iran, is apparently being prioritised for economic engagement, ahead of Tehran's possible entry into the global mainstream. Iranian media quoted Zamani-Nia as saying that China's investment in oil and gas projects in Iran will be discussed during the talks.

The visit has been suitably prefaced by Iran's entry into the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The new lender is expected to play a central role in implementing China's Silk Road initiatives, meant to integrate Eurasian economies as part of an independent new structural alignment.