The Overlap of Defense Diplomacy and inter-regionalism; Its Specific Functions for the Islamic Republic of Iran

In the current conditions of the international system, the use of synergistic capacities resulting from interregionalism is considered one of the suitable alternatives for the defense diplomacy of governments. The main question of this research is why interregional capacities lead to the strengthening of the defense diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran? The method of this research is based on two steps; In the first step, a theoretical analytical model is presented, and in the second step, the actual and potential capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran's defense diplomacy and interregionalism are examined using empirical data. According to the hypothesis of this research, interregionalism has affected the space of strategic and defensive action. The defense diplomacy of governments affected by interregionalism needs to increase synergy in interregional networks.In the international system, the Islamic Republic of Iran has interactive and established interregional networks in geopolitical, geocultural and geoeconomic dimensions. Through network interference, these inter-regional networks can provide many potential capacities for the defense diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.