Examining the Influence of Soft Power in Sports Diplomacy on Iran-U.S. Relations: A Case Study of Volleyball Diplomacy

The use of sports and sports diplomacy has been well-documented in the history of global diplomatic practices. In recent years, sports have served as a diplomatic tool, with sports diplomacy regarded as one of the most pivotal methods for fostering soft power. Nations have employed such strategies to mitigate tensions in various social, political, economic, and cultural domains with other actors. Over the past few decades, the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States has faced numerous challenges. The participation of Iran's national teams, particularly the volleyball team, in international events such as the Volleyball World League and the Olympic Games has created opportunities to enhance Iran's standing and even reduce tensions with its long-standing adversary, the United States. This raises the question: how does the soft power of sports diplomacy influence Iran-U.S. relations? This study hypothesizes that the soft power generated by sports diplomacy leads to a relative improvement in cultural and sports relations between Iran and the United States. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, the findings reveal that sports, even amid heightened tensions between the two nations, have maintained minimal levels of interaction and provided a platform for implicit political objectives for both Iran and the United States. While sports diplomacy has the potential to improve Iran-U.S. relations, it faces distinct limitations due to the entrenched mistrust between Washington and Tehran. At critical junctures and with minimal costs, sports have contributed to temporary improvements in Iran-U.S. relations. It is recommended that greater emphasis be placed on hosting major international volleyball events, which can project a different image of the Islamic Republic of Iran by leveraging the soft power of sports. Additionally, targeted investment in sports diplomacy, particularly volleyball, should be pursued to neutralize anti-Iranian propaganda and combat media-driven Iranophobia.