competition

The aim of this study is to analyze the behavioral dynamics in digital learning environments and examine interpersonal interactions within these spaces. This is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Data was collected through interviews with 31 participants selected from Tehran. Participants were purposefully chosen based on their experiences with digital learning environments. Data analysis was performed using Nvivo software and thematic analysis. The results revealed that interpersonal interactions in digital learning environments are influenced by factors such as types of communication (verbal and non-verbal), collaboration and co-thinking, competition, and differing opinions. Additionally, technical issues and challenges like the inability to maintain focus were identified as significant barriers. Active participation in online discussions and group interactions improves the quality of learning. This study indicates that effective interactions in digital learning environments can lead to improved learning processes and strengthen social relationships among learners. However, technical issues and an inability to maintain focus can negatively affect the quality of learning.

By its multidisciplinary nature, geopolitics deals with various areas of political and spatial phenomena; these phenomena have both external and objective reality as well as abstract and subjective reality. With the increase of literature related to critical geopolitics, the fields of geopolitical studies expanded its range of studies in new fields and environments such as environment, culture and art. Meanwhile, art as a popular science and category has special political and spatial effects. Given the common themes in the two fields of geopolitics and art, the present study aimed to investigate the examples and relations between geopolitics and art, and the geopolitics of art. To answer this question with a descriptive-analytical method, the geopolitical concepts and examples of art were studied. Findings showed that geopolitical concepts such as competition, cooperation, power, politics and space reflected and represented in art on different scales. Thus, art in its general and broad sense under the title of fine arts, and art as a space for the transmission of meaning (iconographic element) is a kind of objective and abstract space in which geopolitical concepts and foundations were represented.

The aim of this research was to analyze the decision-making approach based on Carnegie's model in Asian elite football and futsal referees. The research method is descriptive and survey type, which was implemented in the field. The statistical population of this research included elite football and futsal referees in Asia, among whom 292 respondents participated in the research. In order to collect data, a researcher-made decision-making questionnaire based on the Carnegie model was used, the validity of which was obtained by the corrective opinions of 12 sports management experts, and its reliability was obtained using Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.82. Descriptive indices (prevalence and frequency percentage) and Kolmogorov Smironov tests, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, Friedman and path analysis were used in statistical software SPSS version 16 and EQS version 6.2 for data analysis. The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the decision-making of Asian elite soccer and futsal referees with age and experience of refereeing. Also, the difference in decision-making performance between football referees and assistant referees is significant, so that football assistant referees have higher average scores. On the other hand, individual factors (β=0.87, T-Value=19.12) and organizational factors (β=0.83, T-Value=17.06) had a positive and significant effect on judges' decision making. Also, the results showed that the order of priority in the judges' decision-making is individual and organizational. Therefore, it is suggested that elite referees feel close and have a strong bond with various environmental and organizational factors around them, so that by attracting their support, they can increase the level of individual and organizational decision-making performance.

The banking industry is one of the most important sectors of any economy, because banks are the main pillars of financial markets, along with the stock market and insurance, as an intermediary for financial resources.The aim of this study is to investigate the interrelationships between risk, competition and efficiency among banks. The current research is applied and from the methodological point of view, the correlation is causal type (post-event). The statistical population of the research was all the banks admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange, and finally 13 banks were selected as the sample of the research and were examined in a period of 9 years between 1392 and 1400. The approach used in this research is regression using simultaneous equations. Six hypotheses were proposed in the present study. The results of the research hypotheses test showed that there is a reciprocal relationship between risk and banking competition. Also, there is an inverse relationship between efficiency and risk of banks, and finally, there is a positive relationship between efficiency and banking competition.

Following the Islamic revolution in Iran, the dominance of the discourse of political Islam and the increase of its impact on the Pakistani society during the last few decades, and due to ideological and security issues, the two friendly and neighboring countries could not have acceptable relations. For this reason, the general opinion considers the nature of relations between Iran and Pakistan as critical, unreliable and divergent, and different geopolitical alignments in the region have pushed the two nations further apart. Considering this issue, the main question of the research is as follows: “what factors have increased the differences and competition between Iran and Pakistan after the Islamic Revolution?”. The research hypothesis indicates that “the most important factor in the competitive nature of Iran and Pakistan relations is the security and political conditions derived from the incompatible and challenging environment of the neighborhood and the geopolitical competition of the two countries in the region of Southwest Asia”. Among the incompatible geopolitical challenges and competitions between the two countries, the ideological and ethnic issues, the border and the India-Saudi factor can be mentioned. The research method is descriptive-analytic and data gathering procedure is based on documentary-library sources.

Productivity and competition in manufacturing industries have a vital role in economic growth and development. In each industry, various firms compete with each other and have different productivity level (productivity dispersion). Theoretically, there is a negative relationship between productivity dispersion and competition in an industry. To examine this relationship in the country's manufacturing industries, first, the total factor productivity at the firm level with 4-digit ISIC codes was estimated using the Mollisi and Ravigati method in 2017. Then, productivity dispersion at the industry level with 2-digit ISIC codes was calculated using the Gini inequality index. The competitive behavior of industries at the 2-digit level of the ISIC code was also obtained based on the John Boone index in 2008 as a new method for calculating the size of competition and monopoly for the average period of 2016 to 2020. Then, the relationship between these two variables was analyzed. Finally, the most important findings of the article showed that there is no significant negative relationship between competition and the dispersion of factor productivity in Iran’s manufacturing industries, and they are statistically independent.

God has combined the first period of human development with play. While playing, children can imitate the adults. Playing is one of the ways children learn how to interact. Competitive games in particular are very attractive to children and, if done correctly, can be effective in their physical development and can improve their basic skills and social relationships. However, comparing children's talents with one another may have the opposite result. This article seeks to examine the effect of competition and comparison on children's education and explain its advantages and disadvantages. If done correctly, competition helps children better understand their abilities, and this will certainly come in handy throughout their lives. Children's competition with each other has a profound effect on the development of their personality. However, God has created each human being unique and for a specific purpose. In fact, every human being has his/her own abilities and talents, and comparing people with each other is wrong. Comparing children with one another negatively affects their upbringing. It does not contribute to their growth and development, but rather hinders their self-realization. One of the most common wrong beliefs and behaviors in society is comparing children with one another.

The scarcity of renewable freshwater resources and reserves is one of the major threats and sustainable challenges facing the world in the 21st century. Ensuring the availability of sufficient fresh water to maintain the health and well-being of people and the ecosystems in which they live, and to meet the world's food demand, which is expected to double by 2050, is one of the world's most important challenges. Among the 286 internationally shared watersheds, the Tigris and Euphrates basin can be included in the list of the tensest transboundary watersheds in the world, along with the Nile basin. The issue of exploitation and sharing water resources in the Tigris and Euphrates basin as the largest transboundary basin in West Asia, is very important, and this region is politically tense, with shortages coupled with increasing demand and intense competition for access and more exploitation of water. Many studies have been done in this area using national and national perspectives, but what is needed is the analysis and stratification of transnational hydro-political actors and activists, i.e., local communities. These communities in the Tigris and Euphrates basin can be divided into a more general category of religious and linguistic groups. It is therefore necessary to examine these groups from the view point of the advantages and disadvantages of water projects.The theoretical orientation of the current research is derived from the ecological reality of the region. From this point of view, the natural geography of the basin, in interaction with human communities, has led to the formation of ethnic, religious groups and a particular social structure, which are usually in competition, conflict and rarely interact with each other. The scarce source of water has fueled or influenced these confrontations and conflicts. From an analytical point of view, the current research is based on the social reading of "conflicting identities" organized around the "scarce water source". The "unit of analysis" of the present study is the entire basin and the sub-basins identified. The "units of observation" are ethnic and religious groups. In this study, Turkey is seen as the hydro-hegemon and the designer and implementer of the Gap Project in the upstream depending on the severity of the impact and the type of impact of Turkey's water development plans. Therefore, the main focus of this research is an attempt to understand the perception of the Stakeholders of the water projects in the Tigris and Euphrates basin from an ethnic and religious point of view.

The present study examines the social impact of the implementation of the GAP project on downstream countries. Using the descriptive and analytic method and the available sources, this article tries to identify the losers and the benefits of the ethno-religious winners of the Tigris and Euphrates basin water projects. After collecting the necessary data, the Stakeholders are ranked using the Simple Weighting Method (SAW).

The developments of the Gap project since its launch until today can be considered in six stages:Gap is a water and land resource development projectGAP is a multi-sector and integrated project (1984-1989) Gap in purgatory (1989-1993)GAP is a sustainable human development project (1994-2001)Gap is a market-based project (2002-2011)New Gap.The social conflicts caused by water development projects in the sample societies can be categorized into two upstream basins, namely Turkey, and two downstream basins, namely Syria and Iraq. In the case of the upper reaches of the basin, i.e. Turkey, the analysis of macro-conflicts shows the deep-rooted conflict and resistance of the ethnic group, centered on the Kurds, against the national group. The fact is that both groups have a different analysis of the social impact of the project. In the case of the local group, there is more concern about integrating the ethnic group, removing the obstacles to the social and economic development of the region and confronting the destructive movements of the militants, although this is usually not openly expressed. As far as the ethnic group is concerned, it should be acknowledged that this project has its own positive and negative consequences, disrupting the traditional social fabric, changing the way of life, the demographic composition of employment and education. Not many studies have been carried out on how the project has developed in Turkey over the last four decades, especially from a social point of view.With regard to the bottom of the basin, i.e. Iraq and Syria, the weakness of the government and its fragility in Iraq and Syria, the reduction of social capital between the groups, the water problems in these two countries, the remoteness of sustainable solutions to resolve water conflicts within the country, the conflict over the issue of water between communities are among important factors. In the local and upstream and downstream provinces, the historical experience of conflict and collective memory, and the transformation of the water issue into an element of ethnic consciousness centered on the Kurds due to their superior hydro-political position will continue.

According to the calculations, the Stakeholders at the lower levels are more affected by several national levels. The area mentioned is the Turkish government, and perhaps the benefit of Alevi descendants is partly due to the strengthening of Turkey’s upstream location. But in the case of Iraq, the situation of the Sunni Kurds is better than that of the Sunni and Shiite Arabs, and finally it can be said that the Shiite Arabs are affected by the interaction of different conditions compared to the ethno-religious groups with a more dangerous situation than the water development plans mentioned above: Risks caused by drought in the lower reaches of the basin, the weak increase in migration from rural areas affected by climate change and the decline in the quality and quantity of water to the outskirts of cities, the population density in informal settlements in Basra province, and the deprivation of special water and sanitation networks and vulnerability.

The Caucasus region has received less attention from scientists and decision-makers in the Eurasian region than in the past few years because the security studies of this region are currently affected by the armed conflict in Ukraine and the turmoil in the Middle East. However, the Caucasus region, especially the South Caucasus, suffers from acute geopolitical fragility due to internal and external reasons, and since the intensification of the rivalry between the tsars (Russia) and the Yankees (the United States) after the Cold War reached its highest level. has arrived, the process of their conflict and cooperation in this sensitive part of Eurasia deserves attention. Therefore, while examining the bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington in the Caucasus, the authors try to explain and explain the current situation of this region and the logic of cooperation and competition between the past few years. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to answer the question that what policies did the tsars and the Yankees adopt regarding the crises in this region and what were the reasons and logic of these two countries' policies? The hypothesis that is raised in response to this main question is that different ideas of how to gain strategic, security and m Also, this research focuses on the logic of cooperation between the United States and Russia in relation to the processes of resolving ethnic and political conflicts in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh, which is aimed at maintaining the perceptual structure of the international system.

The Zangezur Corridor, connecting the self-governing Republic of Nakhchivan to the mainland of the Republic of Azerbaijan, aims to disrupt the geopolitical balance in the Caucasus region in favor of Azerbaijan and Turkey, while placing Armenia and Iran under geopolitical pressure and threats. Various speculations exist regarding the construction methods, transit points, and the location of this corridor, leading to interventions by Russia, France, and at times, the United States. The potential exploitation of this corridor is expected to bring about significant transformations in both regional and transregional relations, possibly leading to the emergence of new crises and shifts in alignment among regional countries, ultimately reshaping the entire face of the region. This paper explores the factors influencing the involvement of different actors in this project, the interests they seek to gain from their interventions, and the impact the Zangezur Corridor has on the geopolitical dynamics of the region and the relationships between regional countries.The research method employed in this article is the Causal research method. Findings indicate that the strategic position of the Caucasus, its proximity to Russia, and the normative ties of regional countries with Azerbaijan and Armenia have prompted both regional and transregional actors to engage in this issue to pursue their respective interests and leverage their capabilities.

 The performance of media organizations is affected by the quality of the content they create, and the act of creating content, which is a basic activity in the media production process, requires creativity. Due to the non-standard nature of media products in the long term and the high demand of consumers for new products, creativity in media organizations is considered a vital strategic resource.This research claims that one of the most efficient strategies in the field of this media competition is the use of creativity and innovation in various organizational, management, production and content areas. Creativity and innovation is a strategic resource for media organizations in critical situations.In other words, nowadays creativity and innovation and its management is a strategic need for media organizations. These organizations need a special mechanism to be able to creatively manage creativity.This research has been conducted with a qualitative approach and using the theme network method by theme analysis in 3 overarching themes, 16 organizing themes and 127 basic themes from 12 interviews with experts and key informants, and based on the theories of creative media industries, innovation in Organizations, knowledge management, content production, communications, media capability and creative economy,

The aim of this study was to compare self-efficacy and its consequences in athletes with successful, unsuccessful and inexperienced experience in a sporting event. The statistical population of the study consisted of women police officers who regularly participated in sports activities and three groups of 25 people were compared with each other: G1. Experienced and succeeded in sporting a police skill competition sport event; G2, experienced this event, but did not succeed; The G3 did not experience the event and only had relatively complete information about the tournament. In terms of other characteristics, there was the highest similarity (age, education and degree) between these three groups. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha 0.83) and analyzed by SPSS software and Kruskal-Wallis test. The study showed that there is a significant difference between the three groups of inexperienced, successful and unsuccessful athletes in terms of self-efficacy and the two consequences of "self-expectation" and "goal management" and in all these variables, the average of experienced people Successful more than people with unsuccessful experience and this group is more than people without experience. Therefore, experiencing a sporting event, even if it is not successful, can enhance self-efficacy and its consequences more than avoiding the experience.

Investigating the behavior of the main gas producers due to the increasing importance of this fossil fuel is one of the most significant issues of energy importing and exporting countries. The emergence of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum as the main player in the global gas market gives importance to the analysis of changes in the members’ behavior of this forum including Russia due to the extra capacity in production. In this article, the behavior of Russia in the Gas Exporting Countries  Forum is analyzed by using Markov Switching model and monthly data from 2008 to 2022.  The results showed that the pattern of Russia's behavior in the forum does not fluctuate between competitive and collusion regimes over time. so that Russia's behavior in the first regime has been non-competitive and based on the pattern of "partial market sharing" and the Second regime it's behavior  has been non-competitive  based on the pattern of " Market Sharing and Price Making ".   And Russia's behavior in both regimes has been non-competitive. On tne other hand the results showed that Russia's average stay length in the first regime is 18/19 months and in the second one is 27/15 months.

Contrary to both the banks’ outstanding positions in financing and availability of unhealthy competition environment in the country banking industry in the recent years, little or no research was conducted around effective competition. The core objective of the current research is to design the competition model in banking industry with the means of DEMATEL technique. The data collection was organized through document-based analysis and semi-structured interviews with financial-banking elites. Sampling was in judgmental and snowball version. In order to analyze the data, coding was carried out by the thematic analysis and in order to approve of and screen the data, Fuzzy two stages-approach was employed and in order to assess the cause-and-effect relation among model dimensions, DEMATEL approach was applied. The result depicts economic, political, environmental and social factors as of causes, influence structural, legal, managemental, financial features. Furthermore, environmental factors were the most influential parameters and structural factors were on easy verge of impact. Additionally, legal and environmental components were of higher significance due to the broad interaction with the alternative variables. Additionally, in accordance with the result attained, legal factors were considered as the principal Achille Hills in having effective competition and environmental factors could be considered as the solutions for the legal factors.

Given the dependencies of key economic sectors, the global steel demand is expected to increase. Therefore, pursuing multiple strategies and aligning with global market developments is essential to enhance and achieve competitiveness in this industry. One of the development approaches in the steel industry, like other technology-based industries adapting to advancements in new technologies, is using a technology transfer approach. This industry is one of the largest and most important industries in the world and plays a very important role in many economic sectors. It can be significantly recognized in global markets as one of the main and powerful players by improving its competitiveness. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the competitiveness model in the steel industry with a technology transfer approach.

This research is applied considering its objective and follows a descriptive survey methodology for data collection. The statistical population of this research includes managers and employees of companies active in the country's steel industry. The data collection tool in this research was a questionnaire distributed randomly among the population. Ultimately, 384 questionnaires suitable for data analysis were collected. The gathered data were analyzed through the structural equation approach and with the help of Smart-PLS software. The model validation in this research was formed comprehensively with an interpretive-structural modeling approach.

The results showed that among the influencing factors, internal factors have the highest impact on competitiveness, while among the contextual factors, political and legal factors have the most significant effect. Additionally, the strategy of investment and cooperation was identified as the most effective for improving competitiveness, potentially yielding important economic, social, and organizational benefits for companies in the steel sector. Consequently, it is suggested that these companies enhance the selection and purchasing power of domestic and foreign customers by diversifying their product offerings, including related and complementary products, to cater to a wide range of needs within the industry.

The petrochemical industry is not in a favorable condition in this regard, and the volume and lines of products and derivatives in the industry are limited despite the available potential. Support from official, governmental, and legislative institutions for stakeholders and investors in the steel sector is crucial. By providing appropriate facilities and subsidies, these institutions can encourage and motivate active and potential investors to expand their production activities. Additionally, it is essential to reduce cumbersome and discouraging laws related to investment and exports. One of the most important drivers for increasing competitiveness among companies in the steel industry is the presence of a supportive atmosphere and attitude from senior company managers. The industry needs to step towards attracting, transferring, and developing existing technologies. Therefore, the presence of expert and capable managers with an entrepreneurial orientation in new technologies can be a crucial factor in developing the steel industry.

Advertising literacy refers to the knowledge and skills that individuals possess in order to understand and critically evaluate advertising messages. Advertising literacy is an important concept in social media as it helps individuals comprehend and critically assess advertising messages. Advertising literacy is a significant factor in resisting the effects of advertising messages. This research aims to study the impact of advertising literacy dimensions on resistance strategies in social media.

This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive in nature. A survey method and a questionnaire based on the Likert scale were used for data collection. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and its combined reliability were calculated for checking the reliability of the questionnaire. Also, construct and content validity were used to check the validity of the questionnaire and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. In order to examine research data and test hypotheses, descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS and PLS statistical software have been used. The statistical population of this research includes the Instagram users in Yazd city, which were used by available sampling method. Since structural equation modeling and path analysis were used in the current research for data analysis, the sample size should be at least 5 to 10 times the research variables (Homan, 2014).In this research, structural equation modeling has been used for data analysis. In this regard, Smart PLS software is used. In the measurement model, reliability was measured by calculating composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha. To check the convergent validity, the Average Variance Extracted Index (AVE) should also be checked (Kenjakav Monfared and Hosseini, 2020; Saida Ardakani et al., 2012). The coefficients of these indicators are shown in the table below. In the model, all the constructs of the model have high composite reliability and are greater than 0.6. Also, Cronbach's alpha value is higher than 0.7, which indicates acceptable reliability. The average variance extracted (AVE) is also higher than the index of 0.5. Therefore, it is concluded that the items can adequately describe the variance of the variables of the research model.

The results of this study confirm the influence of critical dimensions (doubt and skepticism towards advertising and aversion to advertising) and certain conceptual dimensions (recognition of advertising sources and perception of persuasive intent) on avoidance strategies.

One of the challenges faced by marketers is to be able to provide targeted advertisements related to each segment of their target market and receive positive feedback from those advertisements. Since the volume of advertisements has increased compared to the past, consumers may skip them without paying attention to them. Audiences may resist advertising. This will cause a waste of advertising costs. A marketer should test market segmentation variables individually or in combination to find the best way to study the market structure. After specifying the effect that each dimension of advertising literacy has on resistance strategies, we may come to the conclusion that one of the factors influencing market segmentation is advertising literacy and the advertising literacy of consumers is be known as a criterion for market segmentation. In this case, it is possible to provide marketers with solutions regarding market segmentation.Advertising literacy refers to the knowledge and skills that people have to understand and critically evaluate advertising messages. The concept of advertising literacy has been investigated in various studies. Examining and understanding the dimensions of advertising literacy is important for people to resist the effects of advertising messages and make informed decisions. In other words, creating content, sharing information and providing feedback on information by consumers has been affected by digital literacy. Developing advertising literacy skills can help people critically evaluate advertising messages and make informed decisions. Here, according to the hypothesis test and analysis, the research results are discussed and suggestions are made.Education and awareness about advertising concepts and techniques to social media users can improve advertising literacy. For example, companies and organizations can provide specific tools and technologies to improve advertising literacy in social media. These tools can include browser add-ons, fake ad detection programs, and content evaluation tools that help users independently and intelligently review ads. Or that the activities are in the field of educational content production, holding webinars and workshops and creating educational platforms. The goal of competition strategy is to undermine the impact of advertising on consumers by creating cognitive dissonance or skepticism about advertising claims. Safety signs can be used as countermeasures to compete in advertising. Safety cues (providing additional information or assurances to consumers to reduce concerns or doubts about the advertised product or service) include certifications, guarantees, testimonials, or scientific evidence that support the ad's claims and increase its credibility. Social media platforms may label sponsored content to help users identify and understand advertising messages. This can help users critically evaluate advertising messages and make informed decisions.

In today's world, artificial intelligence is increasingly gaining attention due to its ability to solve many real-world problems. This technology has penetrated various fields such as medicine, banking, and manufacturing. Despite the significant expansion of artificial intelligence in these fields, it does not have a prominent position in law yet. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly driving advances in technology and business. It is widely used in various industries and the effects of artificial intelligence can be found in almost every aspect of creativity. The development of artificial intelligence is facilitated by large volumes of data and increasing available computing power. Legislators should make the necessary effort to identify it, especially since artificial intelligence has brought various aspects of the legal world under its influence, such as competition and business rights. In competition law, we try to make a fair balance in obtaining profit and economic benefit between different words, but this new technology has challenged the principles of competition law in practice. it should not be interpreted as a legal problem. We should obtain maximum utilization by creating a peaceful legal coexistence between these two institutions. This paper seeks to investigate the existing gaps by comparative study.

Competitiveness index is one of the most important economic indicators in the classification of the regions in terms of the level of development and the level of competitiveness and economic power of a region evaluated based on this index. In this regard, this study, through descriptive analysis, and applied targeting, examines 20 provinces in terms of economic competitiveness indicators in East Azarbaijan province. The template has two main criteria. Generalized Shannon entropy models, Gray Relationship Analysis (GRA) and Moran's I spatial autocorrelation method and Arc GIS software were used for data analysis. The results of this study show that in terms of economic competitiveness of Tabriz city with regard to centrality of province and some facilities and large infrastructure with gray relationship score (0.432) in first place and Maragheh and Marand cities with Gray relationship scores (0.512) and (0.516) were ranked second and third respectively, while Khodaafarin city was ranked last (0.661). In terms of some of the indicators studied at the provincial level, 5% of the cities were at high level (1), 45% (9) at moderate level and 50% (10) at low level. In addition, in most of the components of economic competitiveness, the Moran index is less than one, indicating the predominant pattern of distribution of indicators is random and unplanned.

The geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East have always been influenced by the competition among global powers, particularly the United States and China. This study aims to analyze how the US-China rivalry from 2010 to 2022 has impacted Iran's national security. The region's strategic significance and its vast energy resources make it a focal point for these powers, each seeking to expand their influence. Iran, as a key player in the Middle East, finds its security and political landscape significantly affected by this rivalry. The research hypothesizes that the competition between the US and China affects Iran's national security in three main domains: military/security, political, and economic, with both positive and negative impacts.

This research adopts an explanatory method, relying on extensive library and documentary data to dissect the multi-faceted impacts of US-China competition on Iran's national security. The study involves a thorough review of historical and contemporary sources to establish a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical strategies employed by the US and China in the Middle East and their repercussions on Iran. The analysis is structured to address the competition in the specified domains, offering a detailed examination of each domain to discern the dual effects on Iran's security framework.

The findings reveal a complex interplay of influences stemming from the US-China rivalry. In the military/security domain, the competition has generally been detrimental to Iran's national security. Increased US military presence and alliances in the region pose direct threats to Iran, while China's military engagements offer limited but notable strategic support to Iran, such as joint military maneuvers and arms sales. However, China's broader military relations with other regional actors like Saudi Arabia and Israel introduce significant security dilemmas for Iran. Economically, the US's efforts to isolate Iran through sanctions have been countered to some extent by China's continued economic engagements with Iran, including the 25-year cooperation agreement. Nevertheless, China's extensive economic ties with Iran's regional rivals diminish these benefits and perpetuate the economic vulnerabilities due to continued and even reinforced US sanctions. Politically, the situation is somewhat more favorable for Iran. China's refusal to align with US policies aimed at isolating Iran, such as opposing additional sanctions in the United Nations, provides Iran with crucial diplomatic support. Additionally, China's support for the Assad regime in Syria aligns with Iran's strategic interests in the region, reinforcing Iran's influence in the Levant. However, the growing US-Arab-Israeli rapprochement, facilitated by the Abraham Accords, and the US's emphasis on human rights issues against Iran complicate Iran's geopolitical stance.

The US-China competition in the Middle East significantly impacts Iran's national security. Militarily and economically, the rivalry presents more threats than opportunities, primarily due to US actions aimed at containing Iran and China's balanced approach to regional partnerships. Politically, however, the competition offers Iran some leverage, as China's opposition to US-led initiatives provides Iran with critical support. Understanding these dynamics is essential for Iran to navigate its foreign policy and security strategies effectively amidst the ongoing great power rivalry. This research underscores the need for a nuanced approach in analyzing the impacts of global geopolitical competitions on regional actors like Iran, highlighting the dual nature of these influences across different domains.