The Abilities and Strategic Weaknesses of Iran in Oil Sector

The present article examines the set of strategic abilities, potentials and limitations of Iran in oil sector to show how the energy reserves of the country affects the national ad international determinants of power, position and prestige of Iran. The article by using structure-agent framework analyzes the abilities and weaknesses of Iran in oil sector and pays attention to the interaction of oil sector and the structure and rules of oil market. This interactional relation means that a country like Iran is having special resources and potentials to influence oil market and further its interests. Meanwhile Iran is affected by developments in oil market in different ways and aspects. This influence of world market on Iran shows the weakness and the factors that threaten Iran’s oil position. The article by examining fifteen indexes related to oil and gas sector shows that Iran as a middle base power can affect the oil market in the direction of its interests. Simultaneously it is affected by the developments in oil market. Thus Iran is faced with diverse range of abilities and threats from the oil market. The article studies the present and near future position of Iran in relation to the above said indexes to draw a realistic picture based on evidences about Iran’s potentials of oil power and the factors which threatens its oil wealth. These criteria which are discussed can be the indexes of power for oil and gas exporting countries.