China-Iran Relations Through the Prism of Sanctions

The article aims to understand how China has dealt with the puzzle of Iran's sanctions. Beijing's approach and reaction question sanctioning Tehran abiding by sanctions imposed United States UNSC are a response complex matrix formed three distinct but co-existing dimensions: bilateral relationship Iran, that Washington, its own positioning within international community. Each dimension is associated performance specific role. What emerges from analysis case studies – introduction 1996 Iran Libya Sanction Act, resolutions imposing on (2006-10), Washington's Maximum Pressure campaign that, for China, an inherent source conflicts between roles. Ultimately, responses emerging roles have been cautious aimed at tempering their possible escalations, even though show quite visible hierarchy exists. China's role vis-à-vis occupies lower position than those performed