USSR Impact on Defining Iran’s Foreign Policy Themes under the Second Pahlavi (1953-1979)

The prevailing influence of foreign policy over foreign relations in Iran in the period 1953-1979 drove Mohammad Reza Shah to take steps in furthering Iran’s interests, which led to the expansion of cooperation between Iran and the United Socialist Soviet Republics. The current research draws upon theoretical frameworks based on positive nationalism and national independence and employs qualitative content analysis methodology to assess Iran-Soviet relations under the Shah. The main research question is what was Iran’s main incentive for establishing interactive relations with the Soviet Republics? According to documents, the Shah pursued a line of positive nationalism and national independence in the conduct of his foreign policy and, unlike previous era of inactivity and submission to the norther neighbor, took the matters in his hand and initiated many endeavors vis-à-vis the Russians which contributed to expansion of friendly relations in trade, science and technical spheres.