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FOREIGN
POLICY
IRAN'S
FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES
Iran's
foreign policy objectives are obviously generated from her particular
geostrategic and economic position. At the same time, it is important
to reiterate that her specific post-revolutionary context makes
her more determined to pursue political independence and reject
being pigeonholed as a supplier of raw materials to the global economic
system. As such, Iran's foreign policy objectives and aspirations
can be summarised as follows: maintaining of our territorial integrity
and security, safeguarding of the evolving political system, providing
the people of Iran with basic welfare, and pursuing a foreign policy
that acknowledges our Muslim identity as a nation and operates within
the context of values generated by Islam.
The
maintenance of territorial integrity and security is clearly an
acknowledged right and duty of every nation-state. For Iran, it
has also been a particularly immediate foreign policy objective
as it has been forced to fight for its territorial integrity and
security with blood as well as diplomatic maneuvering in very recent
years. What is important to be reiterated in this regard, however,
is that Iran, unlike many of her neighbours, can easily be considered
a territorially satisfied state with its diplomatic and military
efforts directed at guarding well-established borders and maintaining
status in a region in which territorial disputes constitute a norm.
The
safeguarding of the evolving political system is also an important
foreign policy objective for Iran. As mentioned earlier, this system
emerged out of a truly revolution and was designed to embody Iranian
concerns over political independence, proper state-society relations
and Muslim identity . To be sure, many of the institutions
in Iran such as the presidency, Islamic Consultative Assembly, city
councils, etc. are young and this alone assures their evolving nature.
Nevertheless, Iran has laid certain foundations that cannot and
will not be compromised. The insistence on this as foreign policy
objective may sound somewhat out of place. But it is so partly because
it is the predicament of all post-revolutionary systems and partly
because the Iranian system is faced with intense hostility from
certain corners of the globe.
Economic
objectives constitute yet another dimension of the foreign policy.
Iran is very clear that it cannot sustain itself unless it provides
for the basic needs and welfare of its population. Favourable economic
conditions contribute to national cohesion as well as political
legitimacy. Since the revolution, it has adopted a combination of
macro approaches to the economy, including nationalisation, government
control and privatisation. It has had its ups and downs but in spite
of economic pressures and inflation, the economic situation is not
discouraging. Its foreign policy has actively sought to help pave
the way for the realisation of economic objectives. Generally speaking,
it has approached external economic relations with a freer hand,
providing for a free flow of capital at the regional and international
levels. It has never cut off its economic relations with the world
and continues to insist upon them despite various sanctions .
Finally,
It is concerned about the plight of the Muslim brethren throughout
the world and consider relations with them as a foreign policy priority.
IRAN'S
FOREIGN POLICY: PRINCIPLES OF DIALOGUE AN CO-OPERATION
Very
simply stated, Iran conceptualised her foreign policy in terms of
three interconnected geographical loops. The first loop includes
Iran and its neighbours. Iran enjoys satisfactory relationships
with Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS). Its relations with all Persian Gulf countries also
stand at the satisfactory level, while it continues to seek confidence-building
measures. At the same time, the varying size of countries on the
one hand, and the interventions of great powers on the other hand
inhibit the process of confidence building on this loop. Its
foreign policy objectives are clearly aimed at eliminating such
misperceptions and creating confidence.
The
second loop extends on the one hand to India, China and Japan and
other hand to Europe, with both of which it has actively pursued
good relations on a reciprocal basis.
Iran
considers herself to be a full-fledged member of the international
community.
Dialogue
without any preconditions over the Tunb and Abu Musa Islands was
also raised by Iran and Foreign Minister Velayati even paid a visit
to the UAE, a visit that is yet to be reciprocated by his counterpart.
Iran
has not only set the principle of dialogue and constructive relationship
as a pattern in its relations with other countries, but has also
recommended it as useful for its neighbours' relations with other
countries. For instance, we can refer to Iran's role in conflicts
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The signing of the Tajikistan Peace Agreement in Tehran was a historical
event and the result of constructive dialogue and contacts in which
the Islamic Republic of Iran played a key role.
It
has also co-operated in the development of international treaties
and conventions. For instance, given its lack of desire to acquire
weapons of mass destruction, it has been among the first signatories
or even initiators of many international conventions and treaties
in this area such as the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty (NPT)
or conventions banning the production of chemical and biological
weapons as well as other disarmament agreements.
In
sum, its commitment to internationally recognised rules and regulations
has been evident. Its main foreign policy task is to serve pre-established
and interconnected political, economic and security interests of
Iran and these interests clearly direct it to engage in an active
policy of dialogue and international co-operation.
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