Identity and rationalism in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (with emphasis on Hassan Rouhani's presidency)

he purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between identity and rationality in formulating and implementing the foreign policy of Rouhani’s state based on a combination of different theoretical approaches to international relations. The experience of foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran indicates that the main sources and components that shape the identity of elite’s rationality are the basic and decisive elements in defining the national interest and orientation of foreign policy. Foreign policy is pragmatic, modernism with a focus on economic development, statehood and emphasis on the role of the nation-state in foreign policy, de-escalation with the United States. The main question that this article seeks to answer is: What effect have the identity components of the elites and the element of rationality played on the foreign policy of Rouhani's state? The hypothesis of this research, which tries to be proved by analytical and explanatory method, is: The dialectical relationship and the influence of the national identity elements of the elites of the Rouhani's state and the element of rationality have played an important role in defining the national interest and the orientation of Iran’s foreign policy.