On Russia, China, and Iran in Eurasia
Since 2022, Russia, China, and Iran have become major forces in changing the political landscape of Eurasia, working together to push back against Western power.
They’ve been strengthening their economic ties through big projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the North-South trade corridor (INSTC), while also teaming up militarily with joint drills and weapons deals.
Their goal is to build a world where power is more balanced and not dominated by the West. But behind the scenes, there are tensions and heavy economic reliance on each other—especially on China—which could make long-term cooperation tricky.
A Look at the Bigger Picture
These three countries have long had major roles in shaping the Eurasian region. But after 2022—especially with Russia’s war in Ukraine and rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran—their partnership has grown stronger. They’re now teaming up to push back against Western sanctions and increase their influence by boosting trade and military ties, something that’s been highlighted by recent expert reports like one from the Stimson Center in 2024.
Big Trade Projects in China’s BRI and the INSTC
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, is one of the main ways these countries are working together economically. In Russia, the BRI has led to major projects like a new metro line in Moscow built by a Chinese company and Chinese investment in a big Arctic natural gas project expected to produce millions of tons of LNG each year.
In Iran, a massive 25-year deal signed in 2021 promises $400 billion in Chinese investment. This money is going into key areas like railways, roads, and energy facilities to make Iran a more important hub in China’s global trade network.
Another major project is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which started back in 2000. This trade route connects India to Russia through Iran, covering over 7,000 km. China is also involved—one example is a railway between Armenia and Iran being built by a Chinese company, which will handle millions of tons of cargo each year. This route is much cheaper than traditional shipping, saving about $2,500 for every 15 tons of goods. While it supports China’s goals under the BRI, India sometimes sees it as a competing route.
Russia is also pushing for stronger economic cooperation through the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which is now working more closely with the BRI. In fact, at a 2019 summit in Beijing, Russia showed clear support for China’s BRI projects.
Military Partnerships, Drills, Weapons, and the SCO
Russia, China, and Iran have been stepping up their military teamwork in recent years. They now hold regular joint naval drills, like “Security Bond-2023” and “Marine Security Belt 2024” in the Gulf of Oman. These exercises include warships and aircraft from all three countries, covering huge areas of sea to practice fighting terrorism and protecting trade routes. Other countries, like Pakistan and India, even sent observers in 2024.
They’re also trading weapons. Since 2022, Iran has sent Russia thousands of drones and hundreds of missiles, which have been used in the war in Ukraine. In return, Russia is sending Iran fighter jets, attack helicopters, and training aircraft—these deals are worth billions of dollars.
China and Russia have been training together too, with big naval and air force exercises, including anti-submarine drills and one major operation called “Ocean-2024” that involved 400 ships and 90,000 troops.
All of this military cooperation is also supported through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where China, Russia, and Iran are now all members. The SCO holds regular meetings and training exercises to improve security, especially focused on fighting terrorism and keeping the region stable.
Trade Numbers Show How Close They’re Getting Economically
Recent trade figures highlight how closely connected Russia, China, and Iran have become. In 2024, trade between China and Russia hit $244.8 billion—up 2.7% from the year before. China sold $115.5 billion worth of goods to Russia and bought $129.3 billion in return.
China and Iran also did a lot of business. In just the first three months of 2024, their trade was $4.2 billion, and it’s expected to reach around $16.8 billion for the full year. Between March 2024 and February 2025, their non-oil trade alone came to $30.4 billion.
Trade between Russia and Iran also grew strongly—by 15.5% in 2024—reaching about $5.3 billion. Most of that growth came from deals involving food and energy.
Challenges and What It All Means
The growing partnership between Russia, China, and Iran is pushing back against Western dominance, aiming to build a world with multiple centres of power—not just one led by the West. They’re tightening their grip on key energy routes too. In 2024, China imported a record amount of oil from Russia and Iran—over 2 million barrels per day—showing how they’re becoming less dependent on Western markets and systems.
Major trade routes like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) are also helping them move goods without going through Western-controlled chokepoints, giving them more freedom and control.
Still, there are problems. Russia is wary of how much influence China is gaining in Central Asia, while Iran has its own ambitions in the region. Both Russia and Iran rely heavily on China to buy their exports, which could put them in a weaker position if China decides to shift its strategy. A 2024 report from the Carnegie Endowment even warns that this alliance may not be as solid as it seems. For example, their navies don’t work together very smoothly, according to War on the Rocks.
Since 2022, Russia, China, and Iran have been building closer ties through trade and military cooperation, which is changing the power dynamics across Eurasia. Their alliance challenges the influence of the West, but internal rivalries and economic dependencies could hold them back. How they manage these tensions will shape the future of energy markets, global trade routes, and military balance around the world.
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Geopolits Research desk
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