Introduction of Natural Geopolitical Factors Affecting the Defense Strategies of the I. R. of Iran in the Region of Persian Gulf

Nowadays, the countries around the globe are trying to take advantage of geopolitical factors to implement appropriate strategies according to their national interests. The Persian Gulf region and its neighboring countries is one of the most sensitive and strategic realms in the world, and it is of great importance due to its communication, geo-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic tenets. In this study, it had been tried to examine these factors through the lens of a natural geopolitical factor. This study was a developmental one and employed desk, documentary and field methods to collect data. Using descriptive-analytical and case-based methods after conducting theoretical and geopolitical environmental studies, attempts were made to identify these natural factors and to confirm and determine the role of their factors (in the form of opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses). In this respect, the related questionnaires were designed and distributed among a statistical population of 40 participants and then the research questions were summarized and evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics analysis and SPSS software. Finally, 20 factors were extracted and introduced among which the factors of "Geographical and strategic location of the I.R. of Iran", "Dominance and control (control) of the Strait of Hormuz by the I.R. of Iran through the islands of Hormoz and Lark" and "Appropriate strategic depth of the I.R. of Iran" were categorized as the most significant natural geopolitical ones that influence the defense strategies of the I.R. of Iran in the region of Persian Gulf.