One of the theoretical challenges in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic as a goal-oriented system of governance is to resolve the conflict between idealism and realism. To address this, various solutions have been put forward such as the Islamic Internationalism Theory, the idea of the Islamic rule, the doctrine of Umm al-Qura, the theory of capability and gradation and the longitudinal theory. Iran’s foreign policy has always been influenced internally by idealism and externally by realism. While the domestic environment and its political developments, due to historical and cultural reasons, have defined the main role of foreign policy as idealism and turning into a superpower, the external environment and its developments have been an obstacle to this ambition. In the 1980s, Iran was ideological, and it wanted to expand its ideology and influence other states — a goal that was altered after the Iran-Iraq War. Since then, Iran’s foreign policy has become increasingly pragmatic and realistic.
Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Iran’s foreign policy orientation has been subjected to a gradual shift from isolationism to pragmatism. The war against Iran has been a key factor in this process. The experience of the invasion and struggle for survival made the Iranian leadership aware of the vital national and traditional interests — territorial integrity and national sovereignty — and the ways in which the international system and its laws were applicable to these interests.
In the past, Iran’s foreign policy had been based more on ideology whereas since the time of war it has become increasingly realistic, pragmatic, and economic oriented. Iran itself has an important geostrategic position at the crossroads of the region. After the revolution, Iran’s foreign policy changed radically. The most important changes have occurred regarding the fundamental concepts. Above all, this shift was occurred in relation to the determination of Iranian identity — and the two important views — of Imam Khomeini’s notions of the relation of the two concepts of nation and ummah. This caused the two concepts of national security and national interests to be more highlighted and also the strategical and diplomatic principles to be more crystalized in Imam Khomeini’s foreign policy.
The strategic aspect of the discourse of Imam Khomeini’s foreign policy was based on the actions which are based on basic security calculations and hardware policies. This is a context in which the realistic and pragmatic structures in his foreign policy discourse are being presented. As mentioned, highlighting these principles within the foreign policy discourse of the Islamic Republic was, more than anything else, the result of the way Iran has dealt with the realities in the regional and international context, and the understanding of its new strategic and geostrategic position which paved the way for reconsidering the causes, purports and referents.
The concept of national security plays a prominent role in this regard around which the following symbols are revolved: national authority; independence and self-sufficiency; preservation of territorial integrity; maintaining territorial integrity and strengthening the defensive capabilities; establishing security-military relations and alignments; the rule of nafi al-sabil (denying the domination of unbelievers over believers); the rule of superiority; managing the war and jihad; economism; and increasing the knowledge in order to strengthen the national power, etc.
Maintaining Territorial Integrity and Strengthening the Defensive Capabilities
From the viewpoint of Imam Khomeini, Iran plays a central role in the fight between good and evil. In this rationale, which is increasingly was strengthened during the Imposed Iraq-Iran War, the priority must be to preserve and protect the Islamic Republic as the Umm al-Qura of the Muslim World. The security of the Islamic Republic (as well as its economy) is seen as the foundation of the security of Shi’ah and the Islamic world and should not be neglected. Imam Khomeini states: “Our military forces should never overlook the deceits of the enemies. In any case, the country’s defensive capability must be at its best. In all circumstances, do not neglect the strengthening of the armed forces and the promotion of ideological and military training as well as developing the necessary specialties, and in particular, moving towards military self-sufficiency. All the time, you should be ready to defend the pure Islamic values and the oppressed people throughout the world. Be careful that focusing on other programs and plans would not make you overlook this vital matter.”
Independence and Self-Sufficiency
the concept of independence is one of the things that is so highlighted in Imam Khomeini’s discourse. From his point of view: “It is as though we are born again and I say: being hungry and isolated yet moving towards self-sufficiency, is better than being dependent and rich. We should use dedicated and professional Muslims for gaining more self-sufficiency and independence. That is, we must have intellectual independence.”
“The most important factor in gaining self-sufficiency and restructuring is developing the scientific and research centers, and managing the facilities as well as encouraging the inventors and scientists and the dedicated and professional individuals who have the courage to fight the ignorance and have no longer rely merely on the West or East in terms of seeking knowledge showing that they can manage independently the affairs of the country.”
As the spiritual leader of Iran, he says: “I kiss the hands and arms of all those who sincerely seek the independence and self-sufficiency of this country... the people must make the decision; either well-being and consumptionism or enduring hardships and gaining independence” He states that: “The economic problem will be solved with the will of our nation and our nation will achieve self-sufficiency, God-willing.”
National Authority
The strategic foundations have a special place in Imam Khomeini’s foreign policy discourse, especially as they become stronger during the war. War has highlighted the lack of security and the need to pay more attention to military and strategic principles for senior officials of the country and pushed them towards adopting more realistic and pragmatic approaches. Based on this rationale, the Islamic Republic should increasingly increase its authority and power so that to strengthen and guarantee its security.
This was especially important from the perspective that the authority and security of Iran were interpreted as the authority and security of the Shi’ahs, Islam and, ultimately, the oppressed people of the world. “On behalf of me and the Iranian nation, give assurance to all my Muslim brothers and sisters that the Islamic Republic of Iran would support you and your Islamic campaigns and programs and in every front stand beside you against the invaders, and will defend your past, present and future rights. Tell them that the authority and credibility of the Islamic Republic of Iran belong to all Islamic nations and that defending the heroic nation of Iran is, in fact, defending the oppressed nations.”
The Importance of the Economy and Confronting the Economic Sanctions and Embargos
The current realities, revolution, war and the atmosphere of threat and sanctions have highlighted the necessity of addressing the economy in order to increase the security, power and prosperity of the Islamic Republic. Imam Khomeini says in this regard: “Our economy should be subject to change; the dependent economy must become an independent economy.”
“Nowadays you know that they are threatening us with the economic embargoes. Well, we have to deal with this matter. We have economists who can save the economy of our country; we should assign them to determine and outline priorities. Our economy is an independent, healthy and national economy which is based on meeting the most basic needs of the disadvantaged and oppressed people of Iran, and it is not just a consumer economy.”
“We are sure that we will no longer have a backward economy and we would respond positively to the needs of our disadvantaged people.”
The Diplomatic Bases of Imam Khomeini’s Foreign Policy Discourse
Iran’s foreign policy has always been dealing with discovering the relations between the factors of change and continuity and the soft power and hard power. Four factors have contributed to the instability and fluctuations in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. First, the dominance of modern traditionalism in the Iranian political structure and its determinant role in the field of foreign policy; second, the ideological and unrealistic assessment of the power of the country; third, the other countries’ responses in the international institutions regarding the revolutionary rivalry of the Islamic Republic of Iran and four, the reconsidering of Iran’s ideological perspective.
Iran’s foreign policy is the reflection of the domestic situations, the politics of parties, the external environment, and the superpowers’ behaviour. In this process, the adventurist approaches of the foreign policy of Iran have been declined. This occurs while Iran’s 1979 revolution changed the geopolitics of Iran overnight; from one of the closest and most strategic allies of the United States to one of its most main enemies. Post-revolutionary Iran has perused different foreign policy to achieve its goals. The goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran have been either of the interests of the Islamic world, the Islamic ummah (the Islamic nation) and the national Interests of Iran.
Mutual Respect and Priority of Negotiation on Equal Terms
In explaining these two principles of diplomacy of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini says: “Our relations with all foreign countries will be based on the principle of mutual respect. In this respect, we do not succumb to oppression nor do we oppose any oppression. Our Islamic Republic has good relations with all the countries and believes in the observance of mutual respect provided that they do the same thing.” While adopting a realistic approach, Imam Khomeini states that “that is why we never live inside closed doors, yet we do not open these gates to colonialists... we treat each country with mutual respect.”
“If an independent Islamic state which relies on the votes of the nation gains power, then we will negotiate with any government in various fields.”
Seeking Peace and Non-Interference
Imam Khomeini, in exploring the foundations of his diplomatic policy, states: “We have good grounds for continuing our relations on a new basis. That is, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality of rights and non-interference in the internal affairs of one another.”
“The nation and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran abide by the sacred precepts of the Quran and Islam identifying themselves as the brothers-in-faith of all the Muslim nations and countries in terms of culture and geography; seeking to live peacefully with all governments and nations, and as long as a government will not invade their country and commit to the rules of Islam, they consider that as their brothers.”
Peaceful Coexistence
In Imam Khomeini’s thought: “The ultimate goal of Islamic teachings is providing the peaceful coexistence throughout the world.” As an ideologue of a revolution and a religious government, he has always talked about his interest in and passion for peaceful coexistence throughout the world: “I pray that all people of the world may enjoy good health. I ask God to give power and good health to all those who are oppressed so that they would live in harmony and have a peaceful coexistence.”
He believes that observing diplomatic regulations is a prerequisite for the coexistence of countries that cannot be ignored. For example, addressing the seizure of the American embassy in Tehran he states: “According to the international laws the representatives of a country may stay inside another country as the ambassadors. But, a place in which there is no sign of observing diplomatic regulations and protocols, as the pictures from the inside of the embassy showed, they used that building for spying. The residents of that place were involved in the conspiracy against the country and were criminals. Hence, they have to be held accountable in this country and we will do so.”
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