The Impact of International Developments on the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

In the aftermath of quite serious changes in the international system emanating from the end of the Cold War, the role and weight of foreign policy in enhancing the political, economic, cultural, and security position and status of countries have gained significance. This article tries to look into the impact of international developments on the foreign policy orientation of the Islamic Republic of Iran since early 1990s. The author argues that in the post–Cold War period, economic and cultural factors have become very important in pursuing foreign policy goals, which can be attributed to the impact of the still on-going process of globalization and revolution in information and communications. In so far as the Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned, the article argues that despite pronounced, continuous emphasis on the official commitment to the preservation of the original principles and ideals of the Islamic Revolution, Iran’s actual foreign policy orientation has undergone substantial changes during the past two decades, as reflected in the change in the official foreign policy discourse on such issues as exporting revolution, increased emphasis on economic considerations, and expansion of bilateral relations with a wide range of countries.