Conventional Deterrence in Obama Administration's Defense Strategy Towards Islamic Republic of Iran

All strategic positions and documents made public under Obama Administration indicate that the role of unconventional weapons has decreased in the U.S national security strategy. Meanwhile, singling out the I.R. of Iran, the U.S in its Nuclear Posture Review document (NPR) recognizes resort to nuclear weapons against Iran as a valid option. On the other hand, using different instruments including new approach to regional missile defense, expansive arms sale to Arabs, UNSCR 1929 and its requirements, etc, the U.S tries to balance and subsequently contain Iran's conventional power by regional players. So the U.S deterrence policy towards Iran includes both conventional and unconventional elements. This paper focuses on why this is the case, and initially addressing the position of conventional deterrence in U.S defense strategy, deals with the grand logic ruling this policy and finally applies it in the current confrontation between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.