Challenges and Economic Opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus (Case study of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan)

Central Asia and the Caucasus, as part of the sphere of Iranian civilization, have a special position in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Especially, after the collapse of the Soviet :union: and the emergence of five independent political units instead of one, the Islamic Republic of Iran is faced with opportunities and threats that its understanding can lead to adopt a realistic, dynamic, inclusive diplomacy which is consistent with the realities of the Central Asian region, and in return, Iran can, among a multitude of regional and supra-regional powers, possess an appropriate share of political-economic and cultural capacities of Central Asia and the Caucasus. This study is conducted to explain the challenges and opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran's policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Therefore, the main question of this research is the challenges and opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran's policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus (Case study of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan). It is assumed; policy-making of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Caucasus and Central Asia; 1) Recognizes Russia's vital interests. 2) Opposes the critical presence of governments outside the region. 3) Iran has always tried to establish its relations with the countries of the region according to maintaining its territorial integrity and observing good neighborliness. Accordingly, geopolitical factors seem to be neglected or acted against it in formulating the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in most cases. The research method is analytical-descriptive