Components of Ayatollah Khamenei's smart power over the enemies of the Islamic Resistance Axis

One of the strategic areas of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic has been to strengthen and increase the role and influence of the Islamic resistance in regional and international equations. Adoption of such a policy has caused damage to the interests of some political units that are hostile to the policies of the Islamic Republic in the field of foreign policy. Blocking Sunni countries, they have tried to resist the rise of the Islamic Resistance by sensing the danger of what they call the Shiite Crescent. Ayatollah Khamenei, as the leader of the Islamic Republic, determines the foreign policy strategy of the system in relation to how to deal with the enemies of the Islamic resistance; Therefore, this article seeks to answer the main question, what was the leadership style of Ayatollah Khamenei in the face of the enemies of the Islamic Resistance?

The method of this research is qualitative and of the type of documentary analysis. For this purpose, the theoretical framework of concepts related to intelligent power has been determined and then by studying Ayatollah Khamenei's speeches and positions, the components of his intelligent power have been analyzed.

A study of Ayatollah Khamenei's positions and speeches based on Joseph Nye's smart power model indicates his use of transactional and inspiring leadership skills in dealing with the enemies of the Islamic Resistance.

The findings of the study indicate that Ayatollah Khamenei considers both soft and hard power in adopting strategies and policies towards the enemies of the Islamic resistance. Simultaneous use of soft and hard components of power in Ayatollah Khamenei's strategic policies has led to the success and increase of power of the Islamic resistance.