Preserving the Islamic identity and ontological security in foreign policy of Islamic Republic of Iran from the perspective of the Supreme Leader

Foreign policy of any country reveals it’s approaches and orientation to the international system and relations. The role of the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran in foreign policy is special and according to Constitution, he has the highest position for Major decision makings for foreign policy. the Supreme Leader at annual meetings with foreign policy officials and political representatives explains the principles of foreign policy of Islamic Republic of Iran. Quantitative and qualitative content analysis of his remarks shows that Four principles: preserving the Islamic identity, rejection of the domination, supporting the oppressed against the oppressors and peaceful relations with other states are the most important foreign policy principles, and also preserving the Islamic identity is significantly more important. This research wants to answer the question that why also preserving the Islamic identity in foreign policy is significantly more important according to the Supreme Leader perspective? The researchers hypothesis is that is important because supplies the ontological security of Iran. To examine the hypothesis, quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the Supreme Leader remarks in 18 meeting with foreign policy officials and political representatives from 1368 to 1390 was done and the result is analyzed using the theory of ontological security.