Like Iran vis-à-vis Iraq

The answer to this crossword question is the word ORIENTAL. The clue “Like Iran vis-à-vis Iraq is EAST” is indicating that Iran is located to the east of Iraq, which is a characteristic of the East or the Orient. This clue is a play on words, as the word “East” can also be used to describe objects or people with a culturally Asian influence or origin. In this context, the word “Oriental” is used to describe objects or people from the East or the Orient. Therefore, “Like Iran vis-à-vis Iraq is EAST” is implying that Iran is “Oriental” with respect to Iraq.