Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Italy: Opportunities, Threats, and Strategies

One of the most important mechanisms and tools for the foreign policy objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the formulation, adjustment, and implementation of efficient and up-to-date cultural diplomacy as a prominent and major example of its soft power. The purpose of this article is to study the cultural diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Italy which by using documentary methodology and reviewing relevant scientific documents and reports attempts to provide an explanation of the evolution of the concept of diplomacy and the explanation of the opportunities and threats of the cultural activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Italy and explore the strategies of cultural activities in this country. The paper, by stating the most appropriate strategies for the cultural and artistic activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the actions related to cultural diplomacy and the use of soft power components in Italy, have posed the hypothesis that by implementing the mentioned strategies and the recognition of the elites and the people of Italy for the values ​​of the Islamic-Iranian culture and civilization, as well as the expantion of the interest and orientation of the elites in the Persian language and literature in this country, the realization of the objectives of cultural diplomacy is provided and Italy can be largely regarded as a good model for other European countries, especially in the western and central European neighborhoods and with no consideration of the proposed strategies, the possibility of cultural integration and coordination between their performance of executives in Italy will be provided.