Good Neighborly Policy; Requirements and Proposals for the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The neighbors constitute the immediate national security environment of Iran, and the development of comprehensive, stable and constructive neighborly relations with the neighbors has been always one the most important strategies and priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Necessary for the advancement of a strong neighborly policy is a balanced, comprehensive and sustainable view, however, the history is telling us that because of its cultural, geographical and political characteristics, Iran has not been usually able to make alliances with its neighbors. The immediate national security environment of Iran is potentially insecure so Iran has been always forced to heavily invest in its security and in preserving its national and political identity. Search for security forms the foundation of Iran's foreign policy paradigm in the past several centuries. This article is of the belief that in the current international and regional environment, Iran's security could be better served if confidence is built and political, economic, cultural and of course security cooperations in the neighborhood environment are expanded. By enumerating the sources of foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the principles and foundations of a strong neighborly relations, an attempt has been here made to evaluate the capacities and the most important challenges facing Iran in its neighboring policy. In conclusion, some proposals for the conduction of Iran's neighborly policy are made.