Analysis of the Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Realm of Virtual Space from the Perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei

As the Internet has expanded and public interest in virtual spaces has grown, countries around the globe have implemented various policies in this area. Acknowledging the importance of this issue, the Islamic Republic of Iran has also developed policies pertaining to cyberspace, as evidenced by the "Strategic Document of the Islamic Republic of Cyberspace," which serves as a foundational guideline. Despite the emergence of numerous analyses on this topic, many of these works reveal significant shortcomings. This research seeks to identify the missing components within Iran's virtual space policy framework to cultivate a perspective that effectively aligns with these policies and achieves the intended objectives. The methodology adopted in this study is descriptive-analytical, relying on documentary and bibliographic resources. This article draws upon the theoretical framework articulated by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who has consistently underscored the importance of public participation in national affairs. It critiques the directive nature of current policies and the dominant top-down approach. The findings suggest that policymakers' disregard for crucial elements such as "persuasion," "legitimization," and "feedback" within the policy cycle—factors that the Supreme Leader has consistently emphasized—has hindered the ability to cultivate public satisfaction and has contributed to limited success in this domain.