Strategic Environment Analysis Model of the Islamic Republic of Iran: A Case Study of the Persian Gulf

In order to make any decision in the realm of foreign policy, it is necessary to learn about external realities, internal capabilities, and potential costs and advantages. Accordingly, strategic environment analysis in foreign policy is a fundamental necessity. Environment analysis also facilitates foresight and prevents the occurrence of unexpected conditions and incidents. The issues in relation to the Persian Gulf region, with its internal profound historical, cultural, political, and economic ties and geographical connections, are of great importance to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Following an analytic-descriptive method and benefitting from the scientific methods and tools of environment analysis, this paper intends to provide a convenient answer to the question of what an appropriate model for environment analysis in the Persian Gulf region could be. Accordingly, by resorting to a number of historical and cultural factors and elements of economic dependence and competitions among regional and trans-regional powers, the author introduces the of PESTEI Analysis Model, embracing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and international behaviors, as an appropriate model for analyzing environmental changes.