Look to the East policy

In this regard, it should be said that Look to the East policy is a realistic strategy and, above all, seeks to use the opportunities of communication with different countries.

In this regard, Ali Akbar Velayati, in describing the Look to the East policy, states: "Wherever our interests, desires and strategy are better and more met, it is natural that we give priority to it.

However, such a policy was not unprecedented in Iran and in the second presidential term of Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani, moves were made to strengthen existing ties with important Asian countries such as China, India and Russia within the framework of a strategic alliance.

In this regard, Ali Akbar Velayati, the International Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran, also considers Look to the East policy as a strategic necessity for the Islamic Republic in order to secure its economic, political and defense interests.

Of course, among the mentioned governments, during Ahmadinejad's presidency, due to the unprecedented pressure of the West on the Islamic Republic of Iran under political pretexts, this idea took over the country's diplomatic apparatus, which is the key to solving fundamental problems in foreign policy not located in European capitals but in East Asia.

[13] After the end of the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013, the eleventh government led by Hassan Rouhani, although made special efforts to solve the previous problems and subsequently improve relations with the West through the so-called "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, BARJAM)" agreement, but Rouhani did not overlooked from East Asia, and specifically the Indo-Pacific strategic area.

Because he knew that given the specific geopolitical and geostrategic situations, these regions would be able to influence the order of the world power pyramid in the coming years.

[13] Countries such as Japan,[9] South Korea,[9] China,[1] Malaysia,[9] Russia,[1] India[1] and Pakistan[1] have been targeted in this policy.

[1] Fereydoon Majlesi,[15][16] former Iranian diplomat, believes that the Look to the East policy not only does not lead to Iran's progress and exit from the current situation, but also traps the country in a non-competitive market and causes uneconomic and harmful trade interactions.

[17] Qaem Mousavi,[18] Iranian political science expert, says regarding the Look to the East policy: "Iran has tended to China and Russia because of the influence of the West and the pressures of the United States, but China and Russia have not responded positively to our country despite the apparent-verbal declaration.