The Advisory Forces of the Islamic Revolution and Transformation of Iran's Regional Policy in 2003-2020

The emergence of the Islamic Republic of Iran as an influential regional power in the West Asia in recent years, and the demonstration of its power in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen indicate a transformation in Iran's regional policy compared to the past. In addition to the increasing relative capabilities of the country and lack of solidarity in the geopolitical developments of the marginal regions, this show of power has occurred as a result of regional activities of the Iranian advisory forces centered on the Quds Force. This study is intended to explain the role of advisory forces in the regional policies of Iran and to explain how their activities have increased regional power and influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Findings indicated that the Quds Force, as practical arm of the Islamic Revolution, has played a vital role in transforming Iran's regional policies by actualization of the three regional roles (leadership, guarding and support). Quds Force has tried to expand the influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran by employing local resistance forces. In consequence, the success of the Quds Force in organizing a political bloc called the “the Axis of Resistance”, confrontation with ISIS as the most critical intra-regional threat, and inhibiting the influence and intervention of supra-regional powers such as the United States, have resulted in increasing Iran's influence and its regional position. It is worth mentioning that this is an analytical-descriptive research whose data were collected by library and internet resources.