China and Iran signed a 25 year deal over the weekend, experts say this will give the two nations a huge a power in the Middle East. Also it does signifies America’s loss of influence in the Middle East. As we have seen during former President Trump’s tenure how America was advancing in the Middle East, this has clearly changed drastically.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, met in Tehran for the signing. The deal, dubbed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, acts as a roadmap for China and Iran’s deep relations for the next 25 years, including their economic, defense, security, trade and cultural partnerships.

China has agreed to invest $400 billion into Iran in exchange for oil. The paper said it obtained an 18-page draft of the agreement last year. The draft also called for Iran and China to deepen their military cooperation, including joint-research on weapons development, joint-training and intelligence sharing.

Iran isn’t the only Middle Eastern country China has its eye on. Foreign Minister Wang already visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey and is scheduled to visit Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates in the coming days. China has also offered to host direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians, suggesting that America’s involvement has done more harm than good.

Sisanda Mpiti.