Foreign Policy of Iran after Islamic Revolution

Abstract

This article is to explain the policies that have been undertaken by government of Iran in foreign affairs since Islamic Revolution (1979). Although principles underlined in Constitution of Iran have been followed by Islamic Republic of Iran; but elected presidents have interpreted the principles variously. So, different approaches of foreign policy with different outcomes have been followed by presidents that had been chosen in presidential elections. In this article, we tend to explain the changes that caused by the presidents in foreign policy of Iran since Islamic Revolution. The article is written in tow main parts. In the first part, we are going to summarize the main approaches of foreign policy in Iran since Islamic Revolution and influence of them on Iran's foreign policy in different periods; and in second part, we will explain foreign policy of Iran during presidencies of Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. 1. Approaches of Foreign Policy in Islamic Revolution of Iran Iran has followed different foreign policies since Islamic revolution of Iran for achieving its goals. Goals of Islamic government of Iran had been fluctuated between interests of Islamic world and interests of Iran; or in other word, between interests of Islam Umma (the nation of Islam) and national interests of Iran. Islamic principles have dominated on foreign policy of Iran but different conditions made the government to change its priorities of Foreign policy. There have been four theoretical approaches of foreign policy since 1979 in Islamic Republic of Iran including realist, ideological, pragmatist, and reformist approaches (Azghandi, 2002). Following of realist approach began in Prime-ministry of Mehdi Bazargan and ended by capturing of American embassy in Iran. In this period, government of Iran tended to lead Iran foreign policy based on national interests not ideological priorities. So, national interests were prior to Islamic priorities. It was the contradiction between caretaker government of Bazargan and the Islamic principles that Imam Khomeini as supreme leader of Iran insisted on them. Government of Iran tried to respect international regularities and avoid interventionist policy in other countries to improve Iran relations with others, especially United States, which were damaged because of revolutionary conditions. But realist approach of foreign policy failed and did not last for long time because of differences in attitudes of Bazargan and Imam Khomeini.