Jinping's visit to Riyadh will strengthen the hand of those who criticize the Look to the East policy in Iran, which considers China an absolute ally within the scope of this policy since 2018.

Raisi considers the steps towards the East as a strategic achievement for the country's foreign policy, while opponents criticize Iran's potential dependency on Moscow and Beijing.

Given the reality of the world political economy and the member states' competing agendas, membership in the SCO will not significantly benefit Iran in the international system.

Iran’s policy of “Look to the East” to strengthen relations and counterbalance the West is a familiar phenomenon.