Geopolitics of Iran's Soft Power

Soft power points to a set of a country’s resources and capabilities such as culture, ideals, and ethical values that indirectly affect the interests and behaviours of other countries. Utilizing this dimension of power reduces the costs of other tangible elements of power. This study aims at analyzing the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in various geopolitical regions and comparing the public opinion of these regions as far as Iran’s soft power is concerned.This study applies descriptive-analytical methods and matrix measurement model to identify the relative weight and status of applying the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in seven geopolitical regions, on the basis of eighteen indicators of ten components of different countries soft power measurement. Data has been collected from library and internet sources. Attempts have also been made to utilize the latest and most certified statistical and descriptive information of local, regional and international study centres.Findings of this research indicate that the Islamic republic of Iran has possessed the most part of soft power’s standards among the countries of Eurasian region (28.76%) and the least ratio in Latin American one (69.3%). This study also indicates that Iran has acquired the maximum of her soft power's influence in countries with the biggest Persian speaking populations. Furthermore, Iran has been most successful in applying various elements of soft power, by her effective ability to make use of Iranology institutions in other countries.