Islamic Republic of Iran’s Cultural Diplomacy in Iraq and Its Security Outcomes (A Case Study: Moavedin)

In recent years, hard power has lost its credibility to a large extent so soft approaches have gained more importance. In this atmosphere, countries have faced new requirements in the field of their foreign policy, including the addition of a fourth pillar- cultural diplomacy- to the three existing ones, namely political, economic and security diplomacy. This paper seeks to investigate the role and status of Moavedin (a group of Iranian Iraqis ancestry who were deported from Iraq by Saddam Hussein in the 1970s) in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s public diplomacy in Iraq to identify its security outcomes.

This paper is an applied, qualitative research conducted via the descriptive-analytic method. The data has been collected using notecards. Hence, in terms of method, the research has been based on library research from beginning to end.

Within the framework of the Diffusion Theory, Moavedin can be considered as those tasked with brining change and leaders of opinion who, historically speaking, were deported from Iraq in three periods to settle in Iran. Benefiting from their capacities and potentials in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Public Diplomacy in Iraq can find the basis of meaningful and extensive ties between the two countries whose outcomes would clearly contribute to the country’s national security.

Moavedin’s playing a role within the framework of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Public Diplomacy in Iraq. They help to eliminate misunderstandings and misinterpretations between the two countries and reduce their difference and on the other hand help to secure common interests by justifying Iran’s policies and actions in Iraq.