The Analyzing to Status of City Diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Policy

The developments in diplomacy have led states to resort to new forms of diplomacy that can be influence on international public opinions and the international environment, along with pursuing national interest and their policies in the case of classic diplomacy. Accordingly, states or their dominated local governments are Participating in multilateral non-governmental organizations and having relationships with sub-national entities. This article investigates status of City Diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Policy. Therefore, this study, firstly surveys theoretical principles of Islamic Republic's Foreign Policy and then investigates practices of Iran's foreign policy, which in fact determines the main orientations for City Diplomacy. For this purpose, bilateral (sister cities or twinning relationships with foreign cities) and multilateral (activities in international organizations) interactions of Iranian Cities have been reviewed. In summary, due to the cultural nature of the Islamic Revolution, non-governmental interactions (such as City Diplomacy) have a definite situation in Iran's foreign policy. The foreign policy of Iran regarding the foreign relations of cities reflects its conformity with theoretical principles of its foreign policy. The foreign relations of Iranian cities cover a wide range of relations with cities belonging to various civilizations. Most of these relationships focus on the cities of Islamic Countries and the surrounding environment of Iran.