Iran’s Position in the New Eastern Order: Opportunities and Challenges

Kazemi, Ehsan; Roomi, Farshad; Saeedi Rad, Arash

doi:10.27834/CSIW.2412.1487.3.38.3

Iran’s Position in the New Eastern Order: Opportunities and Challenges

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Ehsan Kazemi ¹

Farshad Roomi ²

Arash Saeedi Rad ³

¹ Assistant Professor of Political Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

² Associate Professor of International Relations, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

³ MA, Regional Studies, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran,

10.27834/CSIW.2412.1487.3.38.3

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine Iran’s position within the emerging Eastern order. The central research question is: “Given the dominance of an Eastern-oriented approach in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, what will Iran’s position be in the emerging Eastern order, and to what extent will it serve Iran’s national interests?” The study hypothesizes that: “Although the emergence of an Eastern order provides an opportunity to mitigate sanctions and counter Western hostile policies, excessive reliance on the East may limit Iran’s strategic autonomy in foreign policy. In other words, the shift of power from West to East does not necessarily imply a fundamental change in the nature of power, as emerging actors are also likely to prioritize maximizing and protecting their own interests.” This research employs a descriptive–analytical approach within the framework of power transition theory. The findings suggest that despite the relative decline in U.S. global hegemony, the United States is expected to remain a significant power in the international system for several decades. Therefore, considering the ideological and strategic incompatibilities between the United States and Iran, Iran needs to adopt a moderated Eastern orientation while leveraging the competitive dynamics between East and West to advance its national interests.

Keywords

New Eastern Order

Iran

Post-American World

Eastern Orientation

Power Transition

Adami, A. (2010). The Look to the East Strategy in the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Perspectives, Contexts, and Opportunities. Political Studies Quarterly, 2(7), 97-124. [In Persian]

Akhavan, M. (2014). The Impact of the Look to the East Policy on the National Interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Tehran: Nazari. [In Persian]

Alhoei, N. (2022). The prospect of strategic convergence between Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Strategic Futures Studies, 1(2), 115-136. [In Persian]

Arm, A. (2024). How Can Iran Solve the Russian Puzzle? Accessed: 10/6/2024, Available at: https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4- [In Persian]

Baizidi, R. (2022). Look to the East Strategy in Iran's Foreign Policy; Strategic components and future developments. Strategic Futures Studies, 1(2), 137-159. [In Persian]

Faraji, M. (2021). Emerging Powers and Hegemonic Order. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 24(2), 183-209. [In Persian]

Fukuyama, F. (2016). The End of History and the Last Man. translated by Abbas Arabi & Zahra Arabi, Tehran: Sokhanedeh Publications. [In Persian]

Fukuyama, F. (2023). Identity. translated by Rahman Goharamanpour, Tehran: Roozaneh Publicatio. [In Persian]

ghafarizade, M. Amiri, M. (2023). Next Century-Asian Green: Opportunities and Challenges for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Monthly Monthly Reports of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center, 31 (3), 18967. [In Persian]

Ghasemi, F. (2018). Transition in the complex and chaotic international systems: Iran. Political Strategic Studies, 7(24), 157-190. [In Persian]

Islamic Parliament Research Center. (2023). The Next Century—The Asian Century: Opportunities and Challenges for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Office of Political Studies. [In Persian]

jahangiri, S., farhaanjam, M., Mottaghi, E. (2021). Analyzing how US hegemony in the world is declining with Kidd emphasizing the Corona virus (from a legal and political perspective). Contemporary Political Studies, 11(4), 71-93. [In Persian]

Jamshidiha, G.R., Ghorbi, S.M.J. (2022). The Decline of American Soft Power; Perspectives and Backgrounds. American Strategic Studies, 1(4), 63-88. [In Persian]

Khamenei, S.A. (2018). Statements at the meeting of the people of East Azerbaijan. Accessible at: https://farsi.khamenei.ir/speech-content?id=38975. [In Persian]

Mazaheri, M.M. (2023). The New World Order; Signs and Requirements. Accessed: 5/6/2023, Available at: https://ipis.ir/portal/newsview/723657 [In Persian]

Pirani, S., razavi, S.A. (2021). Investigating the Political-Economic Parameters of the Decline of the United States of America. International Relations Researches, 10(4), 81-124. [In Persian]

Pirani, S., Saeedi Rad, A. (2022). United States Political Decline; Backgrounds and Reasons. American Strategic Studies, 1(4), 149-167. [In Persian]

Sadeghi, S.H., Lotfi, K. (2015). Iran’s Look East Policy: Analyzing The Possibility of establishment of Strategic economic Alliance Between the Islamic Republic of Iran and China (1989 2013). Economic Strategy,3(12), 89-127. [In Persian]

Sanaei, M. (2021). Opportunities and Challenges of the Look to the East Policy. Foreign Relations Strategic Council Website, Available at: https://www.scfr.ir/fa/200/136580/%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AA%E2%80%8C%D9%87 [In Persian]

sayadi, H., Sanaei, A. (2019). The Place of Looking at the East Discourse in Changing Iran’s Foreign Policy Approach by Emphasizing on the Geopolitical Genome of Russia. Central Eurasia Studies, 12(1), 115-135. [In Persian]

Sazmand, B. Goudarzi, M. (2022). A Comparative Analysis of China’s Position in Ahmadinejad and Rouhani look East Policy. Central Eurasia Studies, 15(1), 127-155. [In Persian]

Shabannia Roknabadi, G.H. (2003). The New World Order. Ma'rifat Journal, No. 68. [In Persian]

Shafiee, N., Sadeghi, Z. (2009). Iran's Options in Foreign Relations Based on the Look to the East Policy. Rahbord-e Yas Quarterly, 7(22), 310-337. [In Persian]

Sheikholeslami, M.H., Atazade, S. (2023). Asianization: A New Interpretation of "Look to East" Policy. Foreign Relations, 14(4), 37-68. [In Persian]

Shirkhani, M., Mahrough, F. (2018). POWER TRANSITION IN EAST ASIA: PROSPECT OF POWER IN LIGHT OF NEW DYNAMICS OF THE REGION. POLITICAL QUARTERLY, 48(4), 1001-1019. [In Persian]

Soltaninejad, M. (2015). Iran and Southeast Asian Countries Relations (2002 – 2013): Assessment of Look to the East Policy. Foreign Relations, 7(3), 7-31. [In Persian]

Taghvaeipour, R. (2022). The Look to the East in the Administration of Seyed Ebrahim Raisi. Tehran: Ganjour. [In Persian]

Zakaria, F. (2017). The Post-American World, translated by Ahad Aliqolian, Tehran: Nashr-e No. [In Persian]