An Analysis of Counter-Terrorism Strategies in Iran: Cultural Approach

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but it is currently one of the main issues in the world afflicting many governments. It is widely expanding and impinging on many of international equations. It has even affected and also challenged the sovereignty of some governments. This made many think of countering it. Consequently, proposing comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies, based on different approaches towards terrorism, seems necessary. regarding to the fact that culture is the nature of any community, this research considers terrorism as a social phenomenon rooted in cultures. Accordingly, counter-terrorism is a cultural approach. The research intends to counter terrorism through proposing cultural strategies as basic strategies of fighting with terrorism. It tries to develop a comprehensive domestic plan, abiding by the rules and regulations as well as the limitations in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The paper is seven parts. Five parts subtitled “Counter-Terrorism Strategies in Various Geographical Levels”, “CounterTerrorism Strategies based on its Nature”, “Strategies Focused on Terrorist Groups”, “General Policies of Restricting Terrorist Groups”,” Countering All Kinds of Existing or Impending Terrorism in the Country” explain the policies. And the other two parts design the ways to devolve national responsibilities to implement cultural counter-terrorism strategies and to devolve the responsibilities of administrative)public(bodies to implement cultural counter-terrorism. Finally, the outlook of this proposal is to delegitimize terrorism and terrorist acts, raise awareness, and consequently decrease extremist tendencies, which in long term, with patience, result in the eradication of terrorism in the IR of Iran.