Iran Foreign Policy After 1979 Islamic Revolution
Iran Foreign Policy
After 1979 Islamic Revolution
Benyamin Bank
GEMS Al Khaleej International School
American Literature 11
Ms. Kezia George
October 10, 2023
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Iran Foreign Policy After 1979 Islamic Revolution
the introduction
The Introduction
Iran is a country of arts, war, history, recourses and cultures, which had a separate dynasty for
the entirety of its history up to 1979.
Revolutions are intricate events. societies from which they originate shape them. Unexpected
alterations in the revolutionary process itself define them. Their enduring effects may perhaps
only be comprehended in their whole following generations. Iran Islamic Revolution is one of
the most complex revolutions in the twentieth century. In other words, A revolution is a major
shift in political structure, and in this year, one was founded in Iran Everything in the country's
structure was altered by the 1979 revolution, including individuals and organizations. Ministries
and organizations changed in number. the clothing that individuals wore following this deed, and
of course, their worldview.
The Islamic revolution, brought Iranians from different socioeconomic class together. But
attempts at significant reform were often blocked in the face of rising social tensions and foreign
involvement from the Russian Empire, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Janat Afary,
2023).
In 1921, the Reza Khan Sepahsalar with UK helps established a monarchy; named Pahlavi
Kingdom. Also, he changed his name to Reza Shah Pahlavi. He was forced into exile in 1941 by
the United Kingdom and the Russia. Their reason for this action was national instability. So, his
son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi became king (Janat Afary, 2023).
Years later, Mohammadreza Shah upended the parliament and start his own strategy to
modernize Iran. He called it the White Revolution. This action upset the power of moneyed
people. And sped up westernization, which made questions about democracy and human rights.
The White Revolution was economically successful. However, while there was a widespread
sense of transformation in social norms and institution, the advantages were not shared equally.
Alongside the nation's increasing economic issues, the shah's dictatorship increased sociopolitical persecution in the 1970s. The pro-Soviet Tudeh ("Masses") Party, together with the
National Front (a loose coalition of clergy, nationalists, and noncommunist left-wing
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the introduction
organizations) were excluded or prohibited, and there were limited chances to participate in
politics. As well as widespread unjustified detention and torture, social and political criticism
was regularly met with harassment, surveillance, or restriction. Religious figures akin Ruhollah
Khomeini and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani supported Mosaddegh’s government. These
leaders established their society to train others to be revolutionaries following the failure of his
administration. Additionally, there was a group of people employing machine guns to overthrow
governments and stage coups under the name The People's Self-Sacrificing Guerillas'
Organization (‫ سازمان مجاهدین خلق‬AKA Sazman-e cherik-ha-ye fad'i-ye khalq).
Thousands of zeal youth protested in the streets on January 1978 after alleging of
defamatory statements about Khomeini in Information Newspaper (‫ روزنامه اطالعات‬AKA
Rouznam-e- Etel-a-t). Thousands more Iranian young people, the majority of whom were fresh
immigrants from the countryside without work, joined them in condemning the dictatorship's
injustices. Weakened by disease and astounded by the sudden outpouring of rage against him, the
shah vacillated between giving in and crushing the protests, believing they were the result of a
global conspiracy to depose him. Several people were killed in anti-regime protests by both
government and indigenous forces, exacerbating the bloodshed in a Shi'i society where
martyrdom was an important aspect of religious expression.
On September 8, 1979, the regime-imposed martial law, and opened fire against protestors in
Tehran. Weeks later, the government exiled Khomeini to Iraq and continued with France after
1978.And he called for Mohammad Reza Shah’s resignation. Afterward there were more protests
and killings, and the army changed its position to protestors. So, the shah and his family fled Iran
in January 1979, and the Regency Council Was created to govern the nation a king’s
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the introduction
substitution, but after being proved ineffective, the Prime Minister, Shahpur Bakhtiar could not
reach a compromise with either National Front or Khomeini.
More than a million people participated in a demonstration in Tehran, demonstrating Khomeini's
widespread support. Khomeini landed in Iran on February 1 to raucous celebration. The shah's
administration was essentially overthrown ten days later, on February 11, the prime minister
went into hiding.
“Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution up to the present time, under any
circumstances, including harsh weather conditions and in the midst of problems, people have
always attended the feast of the [Islamic] Revolution on Bahman 22.” (Ali Khamenei, 2018)
The Limitation: The researcher had a hard time looking for articles and books for this subject. He
spent a lot of time on articles that stood neutral. The researcher had extensive
background information so that was difficult to use all of them.
The Delimitations: The researcher already had adequate historical and geographical
knowledge about this subject and specific time that it happened. He had data delimitation for this
subject, because of the researcher’s background, it was easier to research. The researcher had to
do a similar assignment in the previous national academy.
"The revolution is not a dinner party, it is not an article, it is not a painting or a piece
of embroidery. It cannot be carried out gently, gradually, carefully, respectfully, calmly,
politely, simply and moderately” (Mao Zedong, 1946). The revolutionaries needed time for this
action; Because every revolution has its impact on the future of a country. On the other hand, any
revolution across the world has a significant impact on a nation or state, with benefits and
drawbacks for the populace as a whole. We may observe both revolutions that had successful
outcomes as well as those that did not. There are other works like "Animal Farm" that
demonstrate the beginning and end of a revolution.
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Iran Foreign Policy After 1979 Islamic Revolution
the introduction
In this chapter, we discussed the background to and participants in Iran’s 1979 revolution, which
took place in the 1940s to the 1970s. We will cover foreign policies after the 1979 revolution in
the next chapters.
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Iran Foreign Policy After 1979 Islamic Revolution
literature review
Literature Review
I.
Secular Policies or Islamic Policies……….
Iran is a country, where the culture and religion are the very significant actors in international
and national policies. We can see its early positive and negative impacts from Qajar dynasty to
the Islamic republic regime. In Qajar dynasty period, we face Constitutional Revolution 1876,
This acted by some religious leaders which can be referred to Sheikh Fazl-Allah Nouri and the
United Kingdom. After this period, when Reza Shah assumed power and founded the Pahlavi
dynasty; from the start, many religious leaders opposed him, and this hostility persisted until the
rule of his son Muhammad Reza Shah as the subsequent monarch. The majority of Iran's politics
were secular throughout this time. The People's The People's Self-Sacrificing Guerillas'
Organization was founded as a result of these oppositions, and Iranian oil was nationalized in
1908. However, the Islamic policy had replaced the secular policy in the wake of the Islamic
Revolution.
The religion and culture as formula in politics in foreign policy, Organization settings and
legitimization is not new in Iran. Therefore, power of ideational and cultural aspects is more
significance than its secular counterparts. In this regard, Khomeini’s vision divided the world
into two sides- Mostakberin (oppressors) and Mostazafin (oppressed). Under this ideology,
Iran’s pathway was to be with “Oppressed” people and be against “Oppressors” isa moral duty
for officials of new regime (Manochehr Dorraj and Nader Entessar, 2013). Khomeini’s foreign
policy was established on Islamic policies. Therefore, we can see his ideology splitting the world
in half. One half “oppressors” and another “oppressed” state and people. Khomeini, as a leader,
assigned this philosophy to the government to be with oppressed people and be anti-oppressors.
Khomeini’s perspective was that Western countries, including USA and UK, were oppressors.
Foreign policy under Khomeini’s rule was shaped by his “neither East nor West” which had its
impacts on Iran by west powers (Sezgin Kaya & Zeynep Şartepe, 2015). This ideology is related
to previous one. Because, from his viewpoint, western countries are oppressors and eastern state
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is the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The USSR ideology was communism, and it is not
under rules of Islam.
The conduct of foreign relations in those years was marked by anti- imperialist impulses, anticolonialism (characterizing the USA as the Great Satan), and the export of revolution. The IranIraq War in the years 1980–1988 was the major catalysts for the radicalization of foreign policy
(Sezgin Kaya & Zeynep Şartepe, 2015).
The various forms of opposition to colonial and imperial powers are together referred to as "anticolonialism," a broad term. Justice, equality, and self-determination are anti-colonialist
principles that have been blended with other ideologies such as nationalism and antiracism
(Micheal Dudley, 2023). Anti- imperialist is, is opposed to an idea, which states that a country
has a lot of power to rule over another country or nation (Cambridge Dictionary).
Being anti-imperialist and anti- colonialism is regarding to be anti- oppressors in Khomeini’s
ideology.
II.
After The Supreme Leader……….
Khomeini was a charismatic character for Iranians, and Iran-Iraq war 1980-1988, made it
encouraged. This charisma helped to lessen political discord across the country. Following
Khomeini’s death in 1989, conflicts and divisions turn more apparent. (Eliot Hen-Tov & Nathan
Gonzalez, 2011). After supreme leader, Hashemi Rafsanjani, the leading name of pragmatism, he
did the transformation of Iran into a modern country through economic restructuring,
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privatization and industrialization. Without changing the nature of the state’s ideology (Sezgin
Kaya & Zeynep Şartepe, 2015). Tehran adopted a more assertive global policy in an effort to end
its isolation on the international stage. In the years following the fall of communism in 1991,
Iran's foreign policy took a less alarmist and more practical tack. Many of Iran's northern
neighbors were likewise more accepting of the expansion of ties with Iran. But a more focused
effort Significant expansion of ties with the Eurasian nations did not take place until 2001. There
are several factors that can these changes of events. First, the Islamic Republic Iran’s situation
was after the Iran- Iraq war. And this war did not leave Iran with many force to invest in make
more relations with Eurasia (Manochehr Dorraj & Nader Entessar, 2013).
Second, Facing with United States active actions against it. Islamic Republic realized that it is
impossible to make relations with other countries (Manochehr Dorraj & Nader Entessar, 2013).
Third, the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Al-Qaeda crashed two hijacked aircraft into
the World Trade Center Towers, in Manhattan, New York City. With United States invasion of
Afghanistan, Iran afraid that US plan would include “regime change” in Tehran’s government
(Manochehr Dorraj & Nader Entessar, 2013).
From the other perspective from Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari we face that, the
administration pursued a pragmatic strategy toward other nations, accepting that Iran must adjust
to the reality of world politics. As a result, Iran proclaimed that it will adhere to international
norms and institutions (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010).
III.
The Foreign Policy Approaches
Islamic Republic of Iran has used different policies for its international relations under its
supreme leader, Khomeini’s ideology over the years to achieve its goals. Since 1979, there have
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been four major orientations to foreign policy. These were the Realist, Ideological, Pragmatist,
and Reformist routes. (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010).
IV.
Realist Approach
In Realist approach, Iran's leadership has tended to base Islamic republic foreign policy on
national interests rather than ideological objectives. This approach started by, Prime- Ministry of
Mehdi Bazargan and ended by gaining United States embassy in Tehran. Bazargan’s government
tried to adapt itself and respect national and international regulations and prevent interventionist
policy in other countries. He tried to reshape international relations, especially western countries.
The United States was one of these nations; which damaged because of revolutionary conditions.
It had conflict with Khomeini’s ideology. The Realist approach failed in early months because of
differentiate in ideology of Mehdi Bazargan and Rohullah Khomeini (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza
Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010).
V.
Ideological Approach
Ideological approach was dominated during Ali Khamenei presidency from 1981-1989. The
ideological approach believes that foreign policy must be under Islamic rule and beliefs. In the
other words, Ideological approach assume that, foreign policy must be under supreme leader’s
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ideology. Which was being against with Mostakberin (oppressors) and unite with Mostazafin
(oppressed). Idealist of Iran believed that all of the politicians must be follow the basis of the
ideological values. Supporters of ideological approach hoped that expand this ideology and
assumptions of Islamic Revolution to other countries. Which can cause a revolution like Iran’s.
So, Islamic Republic of Iran ignored international relations. In other words, followers of the
approach followed interventionist approach toward other countries in region; especially Persian
Gulf states (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010).
Ali Khamenei was president after Mohammad Ali Rajaei, which he was assassinated by The
People's Self-Sacrificing Guerillas' Organization. He was ideologist and follower of Khomeini
ideology of “neither East nor West” and “Mostakberin and Mostazafin”. Khamenei and idealists
held that all politicians need to operate according to the same set of ideological principles. The
doctrine's followers wanted to spread the Islamic Revolution's theories and philosophy to other
nations. It has the potential to launch a revolution similar to Iran's.
VI.
Pragmatist Approach
From the founding of the Iranian state in the sixth century BC to the present, one of the most
enduring, complex, and challenging problems in Iranian history has been striking a balance
between practicality and ideology while deciding on foreign policy. For instance, Adda B.
Bozeman argues that practicality, not ideology, guided Cyrus the Great's choices for preserving
peace in the Iranian "world state" when explaining his actions (R.K. Ramazani, 2004). There was
pragmatist approach in Islamic Republic of Iran foreign policy from 1989 until 1997.
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Pragmatist approach was followed by Aliakbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as president of Islamic
Republic of Iran (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010). His Presidency was after
death of Khomeini and there was a new leader, Ali Khamenei, which was previous president, 3rd
chairman.
Hashemi Rafsanjani presidency started by end of Iran- Iraq war. At this approach and period of
time, Iran realized economic situation and its need to economic reforms. Islamic Republic tried
to normalize its relations with other countries. So, the government followed the pragmatist policy
against other states, and accepted that, Islamic Republic of Iran must adopt itself with
international regulations. During this approach foreign policy was based on geo-political
necessities (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010).
Hashemi Rafsanjani was post- Iran-Iraq war that he realized, economic reforms and formalize
international relations are necessary. During eight years of Hashemi Rafsanjani presidency
Islamic Republic paid less attention to ideological assumptions. The Pragmatist approach was
start of reformist approach, which is the fourth and last main approach in the Islamic Republic of
Iran main foreign policies approaches.
VII. Reformist approach
Reformist is the last of main four approaches. This approach started with presidency of
Mohammad Khatami, 5th President of Islamic Republic of Iran.
The victory of Khatami marked a change in politics both inside and outside of Iran. The reform
movement aimed to change the way the Islamic Republic was conceptualized in order to pursue
improved relations with other countries. Moreover, "the goals for integration into and an open
society at home" the global community are a result of a growing feeling of national pride and a
understanding that one must participate in the global democratic movement. Unlike Young
Iranians were not present for the American hostage situation during the revolution, according to
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their parents, and "Independence, freedom, and Islam" was Khomeini's credo. They also missed
the 1953 coup orchestrated by the CIA (Noof Rashid Al Dosari, 2015). Khatami followed the
policies of pragmatist approach with political differences in domestic issues. Iran tried to
improve its relations in international environment, so focus of Islamic Republic was on detente,
peaceful with other countries (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010).
Reformist approach was new rendition of pragmatist approach with some differences in policies.
It had new values such as civil society, freedom of speech, rule of law and pluralism. While still
not much attention is paid to ideological assumptions during presidency of Mohammad Khatami.
VIII. Foreign Policy of Iran towards United States of America
Since 1980s, Relations between Islamic Republic of Iran and United States of America has been
severed. In Iran-Iraq War, both countries were in opposite side and they had limited number of
direct armed encounters. Furthermore, engaging to proxy wars in every regional conflict was
result of supporting opposite sides, which Tehran and Washington were chosen. On the other
hand, Islamic Republic of Iran and United States of America successfully negotiated and signed
the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)/Nuclear Deal on 14 July, 2014 in Vienna,
Austria. This resolution signed during the Presidency of Obama (USA) and Rouhani
Administration (Iran) (Gawdat Bahgat, 2020). Iran was a strategic country for United States. So,
this country during 1941 until 1979 (Islamic Revolution), supported Mohammadreza Pahlavi as
king of Iran. This supports had some reasons, especially for oil transferring to Western block and
use Iran to confront communism (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari, 2010). President Dwight
Eisenhower granted Iran technology for a peaceful nuclear energy program in 1957. In the early
1970s, the two countries forged an informal partnership known as the twin-pillar strategy. Under
this strategy, the US depended on Iran to accomplish its strategic aims in the Middle East and
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South Asia, and to a lesser extent on Saudi Arabia (Gawdat Bahgat, 2020). In the opposite side,
we have another opinion from Fakhreddin Soltani and Reza Ekhtiari; In 1970s, Richrd Nixon
helped Iran to be a regional gendarme. United States believed that Iran as military power and
Saudi Arabia as economical power (not military) can be United States defenders from
communism without United States’ direct intervention. United Kingdom and United States help
Iran to be the most powerful country in the region (Amirsadeghi, 1981). After 1979 Islamic
Revolution everything changed. When Iranian students attacked United States embassy in
Tehran and took the employees of the embassy as hostage from November4, 1979 to January 20,
1981. As reaction of this hostage taking, United States canceled the loan it was supposed to give
to Iran in Pahlavi era. And banned Iran access to more than $10 billion Iranian assets
(Fayazmanesh, 2003). Iran and the United States maintained their antagonism during and after
the Iraq-Iran conflict. After the war, Iran prioritized economic restoration; however, the United
States imposed economic sanctions on Iran in order to destabilize the regime by isolating it
economically and politically (Fakhreddin Soltani & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2010). The United
States chastised European countries for their conversations with Iran and attempted to persuade
them to impose sanctions on Iran and isolate it for four reasons:
- Confrontation of Iran with peace in the Middle East.
- Attempts of Iran to achieve Weapons of Mass Destruction.
- Violation of human rights in Iran.
- Supporting of terrorism (Yaqubi, 2009).
In the other hand, Khomeini named United Staes “Great Satan” (Enayatollah Yazdani & Rizwan
Hussain, 2006). The preconditions were the same principles that had mentioned many times in
Imam Khomeini speeches:
- United States have to respect Iran independency and interests.
- Following of non-interventionist policy in domestic affairs of Iran.
- Equality of two sides in relationships (Yazdani & Hussain, 2006).
European countries attempted to persuade Iran to modify its stance toward the United States.
Disagreements arose as a result of differences in US and European policies regarding Iran. One
of the most contentious debates concerning Iran occurred when the US adopted a strategy of
"Dual Containment" between Iran and Iraq (Tarzjani, 2000). The US identified both Iran and
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Iraq as threats to US interests in the area and devised the Dual Containment policy (1993) to
isolate both Iran and Iraq. The goal of the Dual Containment policy was to isolate Iran and Iraq
from the world economy while hastening regime change in both countries (GauseIII,
March/April 1994).
IX.
Iran Foreign Policy Towards European countries
We can divide Iran’s foreign policy towards European countries to two stages:
- Before Islamic Revolution
- After Islamic Revolution.
Before Islamic Revolution:
Prior to the founding of the European Economic Community, Iran was one of the primary
material providers for European nations. In 1962, Iran established diplomatic relations with the
European Unions, including the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European
Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), and the European Economic Community (EEC).
Then prime minister of Iran, Dr Amini, traveled to Belgium, West Germany, and France in 1962
to negotiate to improve relations between Iran and European countries. Following his visit, the
first round of Iran discussions with the ECSC began, although it was inconclusive (Ramazani,
1976). Following the second round of arguments, Iran and ECM signed an agreement in Brussels
in 1963 (Valdani & Ansari, 1995).
After Islamic Revolution:
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