Abstract:

The fundamental principles of Iran’s foreign policy are laid down in its constitution and are based on full independence, the use of resources for the country’s wealth and helping oppressed nations. Defending Muslim peoples and exporting the regime are also among Iran’s main foreign policy goals. Although the sincerity and implementation of the principles of helping oppressed nations and defending Muslim peoples are questionable, it is seen that Iran continues its policies of preservation of independence and exporting the regime consistently. Iran which used to have a close relationship with the Western countries before the revolution had also the most powerful army in the Middle East. However, the Iran-Iraq War that started shortly after the revolution caused the depletion of the country’s resources. Adopting a more moderate foreign policy after the war, Iran gave priority to restore its deteriorating foreign relations and erase the effects of the destruction caused by the war. Despite its soft discourse in this period, Iran did not give up its policy of exporting the revolution, and caused insecurity in the eyes of its neighbours. The fact that Shiites became the dominant political actor in Iraq after the U.S. invasion of Iraq provided Iran with considerable room for manoeuvre while disturbing other countries in the region. Today, Iran’s main foreign policy agenda consists of the nuclear energy issue and its efforts to spread influence over Shiites in other countries.

Keywords: