national interests

Today, most countries are aware that recognizing the capacity of international scientific and technological cooperation is essential to national interests. Therefore, cooperation in these fields can be included as a field with many capabilities to ensure the national interests of countries in the form of "science and technology diplomacy". Science and technology diplomacy means the use of science and technology and its capacities and achievements in the process of relations with other countries and nations as a mechanism for establishing new relations, strengthening relations between states, and increasing soft power for countries. Considering that Iran and Russia have a high international position in terms of science production; academic, scientific, and technological relations can lead to the national interests of the two countries. Accordingly, in this research, the existing capacities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation in the field of joint scientific cooperation between the two countries are explained.

Africa is of high significance for both developing and developed nations due to its geopolitical position, economic issues, cultural traditions, and the substantial number of Africans in international organizations and institutions. The Islamic Republic of Iran, driven by revolutionary objectives and national interests, cannot overlook Africa. Generally, In the discourse of the Iranian Islamic revolution, Africa is perceived as an oppressed continent under colonial influence with a significant Muslim population. However, despite being described as having a "strategic position" in Iran's foreign policy by Iranian officials, a closer examination of the peak periods of Iran-Africa interactions reveals that their engagement has remained limited. This paper aims to assess the status of Africa within the overarching foreign policy strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It seeks to address the question of Africa's place in Iran's strategic planning and development programs. It evaluating the content of “development plan” directives and the performance of Iranian governments since 1995 using post-event analysis and trend research methods. The findings indicate that despite Africa's importance; Iranian policymakers have never formulated a coherent strategy for effective presence in Africa. Consequently, Iran's policies in Africa have been more focused on "meta-political" statements, lacking both evaluative and measurable frameworks as well as enforcement guarantees. This study demonstrates that Iran's policies in Africa have been driven by the motivations of ambassadors and the preferences and judgments of executors, with no consistent program pursued to achieve its true goals.

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.