Iran's Approach to Non-Aligned Movement

The Islamic Republic of Iran can fulfill part of its foreign policy goals through interaction with international institutions. Perhaps, the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) does not fit into an international organization, and its binding aspects are weak, but given the number of its members, its ideals and goals on the one hand, and the impact of international institutions in the modern age, on the other hand, it enjoys a wide range and many of its goals are in line with Iran's policies. This article by considering the theory of "neo-liberal institutionalism" which suggests that the international system is anarchic, states are effective and rational actors as well as international institutions have an independent identity, seeks to understand the nature of approach taken by Iran towards the NAM in the international system. In fact, it is a comparative between principles and objectives of Iran's macro policies and those of the NAM. Therefore, one of the most important relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the NAM is the negation of imperialism and domination, sovereign equality of states, equality of nations, respect for human rights and the right to self-determination.