An Analysis of Transition Pathways in the Oil and Gas Industry of the Islamic Republic of Iran Based on the General Policies on the Economy of Resistance

The oil and gas industry in Iran's economy is plagued by chronic challenges and problems. It seems that the root solutions in facing these challenges are fundamental shifts and systems innovations, and not superficial and temporary fixes. However, most research on this industry lacks a transformative approach that will not result in anything other than consolidating and reinforcing the existing situation. In this research, the emerging field of transition studies, specifically the multi-level approach, has been adopted to investigate fundamental transformations in the oil and gas industry of Iran. Therefore, a case study is used as the research strategy, and data from the related articles and documents as well as the findings from the nineteen semi-structured interviews with experts in Iran's oil and gas industry are selected as the data sources. Accordingly, by examining the challenges and opportunities facing the oil and gas industry at different levels, this research seeks to explore the transition pathways of this industry in the horizon of 1450 (2072 in Georgian Calendar) with regard to the general policies on the economy of resistance. By analyzing the transition pathways drawing on the multi-level approach, it was found that the transformation and reconfiguration pathways are more likely to occur in the Iranian oil and gas industry. In this regard, the paper concludes with some related policies and actions under these two paths.