Iranian Review of Foreign Affairs (IRFA)

The Strategic Plan for the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) is a mid-term framework introduced by UNESCO in 2016, aiming to guide member countries in addressing social development issues aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This article employs a qualitative content analysis to identify the social issues highlighted in the MOST program, extract the proposed solutions, and critically evaluate the program. The central research question explores what social issues and solutions are presented in the MOST strategic plan and what criticisms arise from these proposals. The hypothesis suggests that the program adopts a positivist approach, treating the world as an object to be shaped by predetermined goals through strategic planning, which generates societal problems. The influence of globalization, cultural hegemony, and a drive for global unification through education and culture to facilitate world management and coordination is evident. The study analyzes the policymaking cycle within the program, including agenda-setting, operational mechanisms, policy support, and capacity building for implementation and evaluation. Key social issues covered in the program include women's and girls' rights, poverty eradication, governance, peace, urbanization, environmental challenges, migration, gender equality, digital technologies, and growing inequalities. The conclusion reinforces that the MOST program reflects a positivist stance, aiming for societal transformation based on globalized ideals of control and coordination, reinforcing the hegemonic role of education and culture.

The policy of Looking East represents a strategic approach towards the regions beyond the eastern, southeastern, and northeastern borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, aiming to deepen harmonious relations with actors present in these areas. Consequently, the country has devoted particular attention to fostering cooperation and forming alliances with these actors, both through bilateral engagements and collective collaborations within the framework of regional convergence institutions, to secure national interests and enhance the country's security coefficient. Following the emergence of the Ahmadinejad administration, the Eastern Look has garnered increased importance, although it had been a consideration for previous governments. Iran's confrontations with the West, particularly over nuclear sanctions, have driven it to adopt policies in response to Western actions. Under the Raisi administration, Iran's "look east" policy, which had initially gained traction in theory, was pragmatically pursued and further developed as part of its Asian and neighboring strategies. This research examines how Iran has strengthened its relations with neighboring and eastern countries through this policy and evaluates the outcomes it has produced. In response to this question, we hypothesize that the Islamic Republic of Iran, through the development of the looking East and Asian and neighboring policies, initially reduced the pressure of Western sanctions against itself, leading to results such as the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, membership in the BRICS, membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the expansion of relations with neighboring countries. This research utilizes a qualitative research method with a trend analysis approach, drawing from library resources and scientific articles.

In recent decades, differences, competitions, increased distrust, and conflicts between the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, as well as the presence and influence of extra-regional countries, have made it impossible to achieve comprehensive and lasting security arrangements, and on this basis, Arab countries in the region have sought to place themselves under the protective umbrella of other powers. In this regard, and after the Islamic Revolution, the major conflicting interests of the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region with the Islamic Republic of Iran have made the realization of a security order more difficult and faced it with serious challenges. Especially during the past two decades, simultaneous with the increase in Iran's regional power, with the support of the United States, a groundwork has been provided for reconciliation and rapprochement between the Zionist regime of Israel and the Arab states in the region. In this context, it seems that the policy of reconciliation and convergence in Tel Aviv may have implications and consequences for the establishment of security arrangements in the region. Accordingly, the main question of the research is: what impact can the convergence of the Israeli regime and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf have on the process of achieving regional security arrangements? The research hypothesis is that the expansion and development of Tel Aviv's relations with the governments of the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region can make it difficult to achieve an internal security order by complicating regional equations and intensifying security problems in the region. The research method is qualitative and with an analytical-explanatory approach, and the data have been collected from library and internet sources. The balancing of threats theory has also been used to explain the research topic.

Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran's foreign policy has exhibited a strategic duality, making it one of the most complex on the global stage. A cursory review of its policies and decision-making across different administrations reveals a "sinusoidal" and seemingly erratic trajectory—ranging from the pro-Western inclinations of Bazargan's interim government to the revolutionary export-oriented approach of later administrations. However, a deeper analysis of Iran's foreign policy over the past four decades suggests that, despite its oscillations, it has followed a consistent linear trajectory, firmly rooted in the constitutional framework and committed to its role as a champion of liberation movements. In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran has effectively leveraged a significant portion of its capabilities. Moreover, due to Iran's rich historical and cultural heritage, its neighborliness policy is key in fostering coalitions with neighboring communities and governments. Recognizing its significant and influential role in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the conceptual and practical dimensions of this influence are apparent in the political behavior of the country, whether intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly. This research employs an analytical-explanatory method and an inductive approach, structuring its analysis within a multidimensional framework that considers historical, cultural, geographical, political, and economic factors. Key variables and concepts examined include coalition-building, the Axis of Resistance, and the neighborliness policy. Ultimately, the study offers solutions to address the obstacles and crises confronting the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This article examines the European Union's (EU) strategies toward the Islamic Republic of Iran from the 1979 Islamic Revolution to the present, offering a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of EU-Iran relations through a constructivist lens. The relationship between the EU and Iran has traversed a landscape marked by ideological divergence, geopolitical tensions, and shifts in diplomatic approaches, providing an essential case study for understanding the role of ideas, norms, and identities in international relations. While previous scholarship has largely addressed isolated aspects of EU-Iran relations-such as critical and comprehensive dialogue frameworks, nuclear negotiations, and regional strategy-this study seeks to provide a cohesive overview of the EU's evolving policy by situating these engagements within the broader context of the EU's normative commitments and strategic interests. Employing constructivism as the theoretical foundation, this research argues that the EU's strategies have been shaped not solely by material interests but by the EU' self-perception as a promoter of international norms, such as human rights and nuclear non-proliferation. Additionally, the EU's continuous emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy, even amid rising tensions, reflects its identity as a distinct actor in the international system. The study delves into key aspects of this evolving relationship, including the EU's perception of Iran as a regional actor, the influence of interfaith and intercultural dialogue on EU-Iran engagements, and the ways in which social learning has reshaped EU strategies over time. The analysis reveals that repeated interactions between the EU and Iran have fostered mutual understanding and reframed strategic priorities, shifting from a focus on human rights to broader concerns of energy security and regional stability. This constructivist approach underscores the socially constructed nature of threats, opportunities, and interests, offering a nuanced understanding of the EU's enduring engagement with Iran. By shedding light on the ideational factors that inform EU policy, this study contributes valuable insights into the complexities of EU-Iran relations within an evolving global context.

Iran's foreign policy in the past two decades has been the subject of debate between those who prioritize interests and those who prioritize ideology when analyzing the factors influencing Iran's behavior on the international stage. Both perspectives have sought to understand Iran's foreign policy through the lenses of rationality and ideology, exploring the interplay between national and ideological interests. Given the significant role of the United States in shaping Iran's foreign policy post-Islamic Revolution, a key question arises regarding the balance between national interests and ideological motivations in the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign relations, particularly concerning the U.S. This article, drawing on the theoretical framework of identity realism, argues that following the end of the Iran-Iraq War and the collapse of the bipolar world order, Iran has realigned its principles, objectives, interests, and ideologies to prioritize national interests and safeguard its survival in the face of American policies and pressures. The study employs a descriptive-analytical research methodology, relying on library sources for data collection. The research findings challenge the assumption of a dichotomy between ideological motivations and national interests in Iran's foreign policy, demonstrating a consistent alignment between these two factors in practice. Iran recognizes that in today's evolving regional landscape, it must integrate national interests, ideological considerations, and the international system, viewing the convergence of these elements as essential for safeguarding its national interests and ensuring its survival.

Over the last thirty years, the significance of the regional level has surged to a point where "international security" is now often viewed as a product of "regional security." Regional powers, including Iran, are emerging as pivotal and influential actors. It is believed that regional powers must hold a significant advantage in power resources compared to other states in their region. Studies of regional powers through the lens of international system transformations indicate that states must enhance their interests and power indicators, such as economic and military strength, to stabilize their position as regional powers. This enhancement can lead to a security dilemma, with other states striving to boost their capabilities in response. Conversely, some states might take advantage of power vacuums to establish themselves as regional powers. Regional powers typically boast large populations, high GDP, strong conventional military forces, and, in some cases, nuclear weapons. Achieving regional power status offers extensive benefits but also involves significant responsibilities. This article aims to outline the agenda of regional powers and specifically highlights Iran’s evolving role as a regional leader.

Iran is a country that is currently facing severe sanctions and criticism from international institutions regarding gender equality.  One important aspect of measuring gender equality is the allocation of funds for women in annual budget laws, which may be impacted by these sanctions. Therefore, this article aims to explore the relationship between women's budgets and international sanctions.  The study focuses on budget laws and international sanctions from 2009 to 2024, divided into two parts.  The first part examines the allocation of funds for women in the absence of gender budgeting while also considering factors such as annual inflation. This statement could assist in evaluating the level of gender equality to a certain degree.  The second part analyzes the relationship between each section of the women's budget and international sanctions. The findings reveal that despite the challenges posed by sanctions, the government has made significant efforts to maintain gender equality in budget laws.

This article examines the evolution of Iran’s foreign policy in response to both regional and global shifts. It explores how Iranian Neighbourhood Policy, initially focused on countering the perceived threat from the Arab-Israeli axis and preventing the realization of the “Deal of the Century” plan, has been impacted by recent geopolitical developments. These include the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, the normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and broader shifts towards a multipolar world order. The article argues that while Iran's policy aimed to economically integrate with neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, to counterbalance growing Israeli influence, the recent war has altered the regional dynamics. Khataei suggests that the roots of Iranian Neighbourhood Policy might need to shift from a focus on insecurity and anti-Israeli cooperation towards a broader civilizational approach, seeking regional hegemony through cultural and economic influence. Furthermore, the article highlights the role of external factors, such as Iran’s integration into Asian economies, particularly with Russia and China, as vital to the future of its foreign policy strategy. The article calls for a reassessment of Iranian goals in light of these developments, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the new geopolitical landscape.

The interaction between political elites and the general populace is a key subject of scholarly inquiry, receiving significant attention in academic discourse. This relationship can be seen as the relationship between the government and the people in one interpretation and the relationship between the government and society in another. In a general division, some people believe in the priority of the political elites, some in the people, and finally, the third group believes in the same priority of the political elites and the people. Islamic thinkers have also theorized in this regard. This research, based on the library and documentary methods and contextual interpretation methods, seeks to answer these questions: "What is the relationship between the people and the political elites in Islamic thought?" What are its most important features, and what are the obstacles to the participation of more elites? In order to achieve these goals, we first discuss the basics, and then, based on Islamic principles and values, we examine the role of the people with the political elites or the government. We point out the obstacles to the desired interaction and finally provide some recommendations.  

The exploration of emerging conflict concepts in the context of international law raises a theoretical question, particularly with the introduction of the novel concept of war. This paper analyzes the theoretical domain, emphasizing the necessity for analytical discourse that integrates legal arguments. It posits that the legitimization of conceptualizations, including the innovative notion of environmental warfare emerging from the modern concept of war, contributes to the development of a normative framework. With further in-depth study, this framework has the potential to advance theoretical discourse beyond the current epistemological boundaries of international law. The concept of environmental warfare-particularly the weaponization of border rivers-can be contextualized within the evolving landscape of international law by emphasizing the severe crises and famines caused by the destruction of vital water sources. As international law increasingly integrates environmental protection, it must confront the deliberate targeting of water resources, which poses catastrophic consequences for civilian populations reliant on these essential resources. Employing the socio-dogmatic method and utilizing quantitative measures, the current paper asserts that emerging conflicts are firstly a tangible phenomenon and secondly that all systemic rules of international law address it, encompassing the intricacies of environmental warfare as indicated in the Hamoun case study in the Iran-Afghanistan Aqua Conflict. This progressive approach acknowledges the changing nature of conflicts and emphasizes the need to address not only legal aspects but also the broader social, political, and environmental dimensions within existing normative frameworks.  

Following the violent escalation on October 7, 2023, attributed to the actions of the Israeli regime in Gaza, a series of substantial measures have been implemented by international legal, judicial, and political organizations in support of the Palestinian cause and the resistance movement. These actions have involved key international bodies, such as the Security Council, the General Assembly, and judicial institutions including the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as various countries and influential global experts. In this context, the international community has witnessed a historical and unprecedented series of judicial opinions, resolutions, and legal positions condemning the actions of the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza. Moreover, the recent focus on obligations to prevent genocide and end the occupation and violence in Palestine is unparalleled in its intensity and global consensus. These measures provide substantial and authoritative evidence supporting the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause, while simultaneously imposing binding legal responsibilities on states, international organizations, and in particular, the General Assembly and Security Council, to ensure the protection of Palestinian rights and the cessation of occupation and violence in the region. The present study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology, utilizing documentary and library research approaches to critically analyze the nature and substance of these legal instruments and resolutions. In doing so, it aims to inform national, regional, and international executive bodies, while fostering academic dialogue and public awareness on the critical need for implementation of these judicial decisions. This research underscores the transformative legal, judicial, and diplomatic developments following October 7, 2023, developments that are crucial to the future trajectory of Gaza and Palestine, and which must be taken into account when formulating policies and strategies for the region's future.