A Review of Justice-Centered and Moderate Approaches in the Nuclear Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The purpose of the present study is to review justice-centered and moderate approaches in the nuclear policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since the nuclear policy of Ahmadi Nezhād’s and Rowhāni’s government had more significance than those of other governments in Iran from the victory of the Islamic revolution, the present research aims to deal with the comparative analysis of the nuclear policy of the two aforementioned cabinets. The research method is descriptive-analytic and the results indicate that Ahmadi Nezhād’s nuclear political approach based on the theoretical model of realism, relied on an aggressive nuclear diplomacy which led to the resolution and global consensus against Iran, and as result, Iran was put under chapter VII of the United Nations charter. Contrary to the aggressive nuclear policy of Ahmadi Nezhād’s government, there was Rowhani’s interactive nuclear policy which used a moderate discourse and attempted to apply it as a means of negotiation with the world and a mechanism to develop the country and improve its status in international equations. The result of such a policy was Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA), excluding Iran from chapter VII of the United Nations charter, and the relative lifting of sanctions.