The Role of Second Way Diplomacy in Iran-US Relations: A Case Study of Sports Diplomacy (1998-2019)

Today, the use of soft power and its localization in the evolution of the global economic-political system is an undeniable necessity that can be examined in three dimensions: cultural, economic and political. One of the sub-variables in the cultural sector is sports. Also, with the transformation of post-Cold War conflicts, first-line diplomacy, which is a way of resolving conflicts over interests and power, could not resolve conflicts alone. Hence, other methods, such as second-line diplomacy, came to the aid of formal diplomacy with the aim of removing the roots of the conflict and played a complementary role. This technique, which is performed by informal individuals and in informal settings, is one of the most effective steps towards providing peace at the formal level, and one of the second types of diplomacy is sports diplomacy. This qualitative research using data-based theory method seeks to answer the question that what is the role of second-line diplomacy in Iran-US relations in the field of sports diplomacy? The research tools are interviews and the statistical population is sports managers. The results showed that four broad lines including multilateral development, solidarity, communication management and international prestige with their subcategories as the main components of second-line diplomacy are more effective in Iran-US relations, and second-line diplomacy, especially sports diplomacy. Can be much more effective in critical situations; Where formal diplomacy is unable to resolve conflicts of interest and power.