The Pattern of Regional Balance in the Islamic Republic of Iran's Fifth Development Plan

Security conflicts have increased in the Persian Gulf region and South West Asia over the post-World War II era. The establishment of the Zionist regime, its relative hard-power superiority to other regional state units, the intervention of great powers in the region, the presence of various US-led military bases and the existence of economic resources may be considered as the major factors contributing to the escalation of crises in the region. The principal characteristic of those states that are located in such regions is that they face various security and strategic threats. Given this explanation, the approach of the Islamic Republic to defence and strategic planning as formulated within the framework of Iran’s Fifth Development Plan may be seen as an effort to organize and create balance of power in the region. Notably, power-building as the chief part of conventional deterrence and regional balance, has been underscored in the article 45 of the macro-policies advocated by the Fifth Development Plan. Along the line, this article investigates the different dimensions and requirements of such an approach.