[5][6][7] The key details of the deal were originally reported by British journalist and author, Simon Watkins, in an article published on 3 September 2019 in Petroleum Economist stating that the agreement includes up to $280 billion towards developing Iran's oil, gas and petrochemicals sectors and another investment of $120 billion towards upgrading Iran's transportation and manufacturing infrastructure.

The same report added that the agreement would allow China to deploy security personnel on the ground in Iran to protect Chinese projects, and that there would be additional personnel and materiel available to protect the eventual transit of oil, gas, and petrochemicals supplies from Iran to China, where necessary, including through the Persian Gulf.

[13] Based on the agreement, China has agreed to inject $300-$400 billion[14] by foreign direct investment into the Iranian oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

Iran was eventually put under international sanctions, although China still provided aid in the form of armaments to the Iranians during the Iran–Iraq War.

[17] “This cooperation is a ground for Iran and China’s participation in basic projects and development of infrastructure, including the large 'Belt and Road' initiative, and an opportunity to attract investment in various economic fields, including industry, tourism, information technology and communication,” the presidential website quoted Rouhani as saying.

[23] A member of Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly said in June 2020 that in the draft document "cooperation in the development of cyberspace" has been listed and noted that using National Information Network offensive sites and databases can be filtered.

[24][25] According to the Petroleum Economist report of September 2019, the investment comes with a huge discount on oil, gas and petrochemical purchases, prioritizing China in implementing development projects and allowing 5,000 Chinese (foreign) security forces to be present on Iranian soil.

[7] Time however, explains that it is no different than any of the other economic deals within the BRI that include other nations like other Persian Gulf states and Egypt.

Despite the escalations in tensions between the US, Iran and China, due to President Biden's administration, the Cooperation Plan is not in response to US actions.

[29] Saied Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry denies that progress in the deal has been delayed till after the US 2020 election.

[30] As of October 19, 2020 the US has sanctioned six entities and two individuals for their activities involved with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).