Iran's Foreign Policy

Paper Summary:

This paper presents an overview of Iran's foreign policy since the fall of the Shah and the Iranian Revolution in 1979. It particularly focuses on its regional influence and its support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas. The paper then discusses Iran's relations with the United States, particularly following September 11.

Table of Contents:
After the Revolution
Who Makes Iran's Foreign Policy?
The Changing Directions of Iran's Foreign Policy
The US-Iran Relations in the Post 9/11 Scenario
Iran's Support for Terrorist Organizations
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The moderate former President Khatami tried to improve Iran's relations with the US as Iran even encouraged its allies in Afghanistan to co-operate with the Americans the Taliban regime after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The relations again turned sour as President Bush declared Iran as part of the "axis of evil." For a short while after the US invasion of Iraq in March 2003, the Iranian regime seemed to be intimidated at the prospect of a similar pre-emptive operation by the US against Iran (Schwartz). The fear was reflected in its sudden start of negotiations with the EU on ending Iran's nuclear program. The window of opportunity was, however, lost when the US insisted on a regime change and the determined insurgency in Iraq took root. The marked difference in behavior of the US against states that had nuclear capability (e.g., North Korea) and those which did not, also convinced the Iranians about the advantage of acquiring a nuclear deterrence; hence the current stand-off on the Iranian nuclear program between Iran and US."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Afrasiabi, Kaveh and Abbas Maleki. "Iran's Foreign Policy After 11 September." The Brown Journal of World Affairs. IX.2 (Winter/Spring 2003): 255-265
• "Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades." Council on Foreign Relations. October 31, 2005. April 22, 2006. <http://www.cfr.org/publication/9127/alaqsa_martyrs_brigades_palestinian_nationalists.html>
• "Background Information on Foreign Terrorist Organizations." US Department of State. October 8, 1999. April 22, 2006. http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rpt/fto/2801.htm#hizballah
• Beehner, Lionel. "Iran's Multifaceted Foreign Policy." Council on Foreign Relations. April 7, 2006. April 22, 2006. <http://www.cfr.org/publication/10396/>
• "Foreign Policy." US Library of Congress. 1988. April 22, 2006. <http://countrystudies.us/iran/99.htm>

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