Neo-Regionalism in the Foreign Policy of Iran

Iran''s foreign policy has been the arena of the alternation between regionalism and internationalism. Meanwhile، the neo-regionalism is considered as a new approach to Iran’s foreign policy which establishes a linkage between regionalism and international multilateralism taking into account the characteristics of the age of globalization. Accordingly، the present paper argues that the reinforcement of interregional and trans-regional relations may pave the way for a neo-regional policy in the process of globalization. This article، in the neo-functional theoretical framework، considers the “successful regionalism” as a precondition for neo-regional policy. It discusses the potentials and achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the areas of regionalism and trans-regional relationships and explores the ways for the reinforcement of neo-regional potentialities and opportunities in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In response to the main question of “how to strengthen and to promote neo-regionalism in Iran''s foreign policy”، the present paper explains the trans-regional interactions in the age of globalization as favorable context for and promoting the neo-regional approach in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.