The New Defense Diplomacy of United Kingdom and its Impact on Islamic Republic of Iran National Security

According to United Kingdom’s defense ministry international defense engagement strategy document 2013, this country intends to make use of soft power potentials in field of defense diplomacy for achieving national interests and objectives. This program includes the participation of defense ministry in election process, formation of legislative assemblies, forming the structure of governments and judiciary in countries where they are passing through transition to democracy. It also includes defense cooperation in cyber, cultural and educational fields. The present article by a descriptive-analytical method examines the content of this new defense diplomacy and its negative implications for Iran. The underlying hypothesis of the article is that the United Kingdom wants to strengthen its presence and influence in the Middle East particularly in security zones surrounding Iran and this strategy is a threat to Iran’s national security. The article after analyzing 2013 document and its strategies and policies has come to a conclusion that the defense strategy of the United Kingdom is a serious threat to national security of Islamic Republic of Iran.