The Scope of National Interests in the Islamic Government by Emphasis on the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Common beliefs, capabilities, opportunities, as well as limitations and challenges are the determining factors of the national interests of all countries. Regarding the fact that national interests are among the new concepts in the realm of foreign policy, the following question is raised: Can national interests be talked about in the Islamic government? If the answer is yes, what is its scope? How are the supranational dimensions of the responsibilities of the Islamic government considered in determining the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran? Using Islamic sources and analytical-Ijtihadi method, it was concluded that national interests can be talked about despite the global and regional mission of the Islamic government; however, national interests and Islamic and human interests are intertwined and cannot be separated. In such a condition, the national interests of the Islamic government are not restricted to a specific geographical region and they will gain global scope as the result of the global mission of the Islamic government. The Constitution and also the speeches and the practical conduct of the leaders of the Islamic Republic show that the supranational responsibilities of the Islamic government are considered in determining the national interests of the Islamic Republic and Islamic and human interests are regarded as the inseparable parts of the national interests of the Islamic Republic.