Editing Foreign relations of Iran (section)

==Khamenei's leadership==
===Post-war foreign policy and regional influence===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2023}}
[[File:Flickr - World Economic Forum - Mohammad Khatami - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2004.jpg|thumb|right|President [[Mohammad Khatami|Khatami]] (in office: 1997–2005) played a key role in repairing Iran's foreign relations with Europe.]]
Since the end of the Iran–Iraq War, Iran's new foreign policy has had a dramatic effect on its global standing. Relations with the [[European Union]] have dramatically improved, to the point where Iran is a major oil exporter and a trading partner with such countries as [[Italy]], France, and Germany. [[People's Republic of China|China]] and [[India]] have also emerged as friends of Iran; these three countries face similar challenges in the global economy as they industrialize, and consequently find themselves aligned on a number of issues.

Iran maintains regular diplomatic and commercial relations with [[Russia]] and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|former Soviet Republics]]. Both Iran and Russia believe they have important national interests at stake in developments in Central Asia and the Transcaucasus, particularly concerning energy resources from the Caspian Sea. The Islamic Republic of Iran accords priority to its relations with the other states in the region and with the rest of the Islamic world. This includes a strong commitment to the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] (OIC) and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Relations with the states of the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC), especially with [[Saudi Arabia]], are characterized by rivalry and hostility. An unresolved territorial dispute with the [[United Arab Emirates]] concerning three islands in the Persian Gulf continues to mar its relations with these states. Iran has close [[Iran–Kuwait relations|relations with Kuwait]].

===Isolation, sanctions, and global ambitions===
[[File:Swedish PM Stefan Löfven meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei 04.jpg|thumb|[[Ali Khamenei]] with Swedish Prime Minister [[Stefan Löfven]], 11 February 2017]]
Iran seeks new allies around the world due to its increasing political and economic isolation in the international community.<ref>Fredrik Dahl, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-revolution-cleric-idUSTRE5833FV20090904 "Iran cleric says ''time to export the revolution''"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016110628/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/04/us-iran-revolution-cleric-idUSTRE5833FV20090904 |date=16 October 2015}}, "Reuters", 4 September 2009</ref><ref>[http://bigthink.com/ideas/41772 "Iran Seeks Allies in South America"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710083109/http://bigthink.com/ideas/41772 |date=10 July 2012}}, 2 January 2012</ref> This isolation is evident in the various economic sanctions and the EU oil embargo that have been implemented in response to questions that have been raised over the [[Iranian nuclear program]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16674660 "EU Iran sanctions: Ministers adopt Iran oil imports ban"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011231029/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16674660 |date=11 October 2018}}, "BBC News", 23 January 2012</ref>

Tehran supports the Interim Governing Council in [[Iraq]], but it strongly advocates a prompt and full transfer of state authority to the Iraqi people. Iran hopes for stabilization in [[Afghanistan]] and supports the reconstruction effort so that the [[Afghan refugees]] in Iran (which number approximately 2.5&nbsp;million.<ref>[[Afghan Refugees]] in Iran, "[http://www.cmi.no/afghanistan/peacebuilding/docs/CMI-PRIO-AfghanRefugeesInIran.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171448/http://www.cmi.no/afghanistan/peacebuilding/docs/CMI-PRIO-AfghanRefugeesInIran.pdf|date=3 March 2016}}", International Peace Research Institute, Oslo, 16 June 2004. Retrieved 29 April 2007.</ref>) can return to their homeland and the flow of drugs from Afghanistan can be stemmed. Iran is also pursuing a policy of stabilization and cooperation with the countries of the [[Caucasus]] and Central Asia, whereby it is seeking to capitalise on its central location to establish itself as the political and economic hub of the region.

On the international scene, it has been argued by some that Iran has become, or will become in the near future, a superpower due to its ability to influence international events. Others, such as [[Robert Baer]], have argued that Iran is already an [[energy superpower]] and is on its way to becoming an empire. [[Flynt Leverett]] calls Iran a rising power that might well become a nuclear power in coming years—if the US does not prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear technology, as part of a grand bargain under which Iran would cease its nuclear activities in exchange for a guarantee of its borders by the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tcf.org/publications/internationalaffairs/leverett_diplomatic.pdf |title=Dealing with Tehran: Assessing U.S. Diplomatic Options toward Iran |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011171353/http://www.tcf.org/publications/internationalaffairs/leverett_diplomatic.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2010 |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Baer|title=The Devil We Know: Dealing with the New Iranian Superpower|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UPUUL2HgwooC|access-date=14 August 2013|date=30 September 2008|publisher=Crown Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-307-44978-8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904071537/https://books.google.com/books?id=UPUUL2HgwooC|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meeting-the-growing-threat-of-iran/| work=CBS News| title=Meeting The Growing Threat of Iran| date=15 February 2009| access-date=4 April 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111230631/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/15/sunday/main4803601.shtml| archive-date=11 November 2010| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bar|first=Zvi|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151234.html|title=Iran is regional superpower even without nukes|work=Haaretz|location=Israel|date=26 February 2010|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418192431/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151234.html|archive-date=18 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Sick|first=Gary G.|url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/42020/gary-g-sick/irans-quest-for-superpower-status|title=Iran's Quest for Superpower Status|magazine=Foreign Affairs|date=1 March 1987|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822223259/http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/42020/gary-g-sick/irans-quest-for-superpower-status|archive-date=22 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/30/raman.iran/index.html|work=CNN|title=Iran seeking to become Mideast superpower|date=30 August 2006|access-date=2 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123165954/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/30/raman.iran/index.html|archive-date=23 January 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.globalaffairs.ru/numbers/14/1007.html|title=Vladimir Sazhin "Iran Seeking Superpower Status"|work=Global Affairs|date=8 February 2006|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071003145759/http://eng.globalaffairs.ru/numbers/14/1007.html|archive-date=3 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Burston|first=Bradley|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/754892.html|title=Will Bush make Iran the only superpower?|work=Haaretz|location=Israel|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207054251/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/754892.html|archive-date=7 December 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/5363098.stm|work=BBC News|title=Iran's growing regional influence|date=20 September 2006|access-date=2 May 2010|first=John|last=Simpson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305202802/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/5363098.stm|archive-date=5 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/world/africa/02iht-tehran.4443911.html|work=The New York Times|first=Nazila|last=Fathi|date=2 February 2007|access-date=2 May 2010|title=Iran boasts of becoming a superpower|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904071537/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/world/africa/02iht-tehran.4443911.html|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2008/09/30/segments/110942|title=The Leonard Lopate Show: Iran: Superpower?|work=WNYC|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207170814/http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2008/09/30/segments/110942|archive-date=7 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/02/02/iran-becoming-superpower/|title=Iran 'becoming superpower'|work=Baltimore Sun|date=2 February 2007|access-date=17 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616134606/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-02-02/news/0702020272_1_iran-ahmadinejad-sanctions|archive-date=16 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Overcite|date=November 2024}}

===Territorial disputes===
{{See also|Territorial disputes in the Persian Gulf}}
[[File:Iran southern caspian energy prospects 2004.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Southern Caspian Energy Prospects (portion of Iran). Country Profile 2004.]]

* Iran and [[Iraq]] restored diplomatic relations in 1990, but they are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their [[Iran–Iraq War|eight-year war]] concerning border demarcation, [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]], and freedom of navigation in and sovereignty over the [[Shatt al-Arab]] waterway.
* Iran governs and possesses [[Greater and Lesser Tunbs|two islands]] in the Persian Gulf claimed by the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]: Lesser Tunb (which the UAE calls ''Tunb as Sughra'' in Arabic, and Iran calls ''Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek'' in Persian) and Greater Tunb (Arabic ''Tunb al Kubra'', Persian ''Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg'').
* Iran jointly administers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE (Arabic ''Abu Musa'', Persian, ''Jazireh-ye Abu Musa''), over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions.
* The [[Caspian Sea#International disputes|Caspian Sea borders]] between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan are not yet determined, although this problem is set to be resolved peacefully in the coming years through slow negotiations. After the breakup of the USSR, the newly independent republics bordering the Caspian Sea claimed shares of territorial waters and the seabed, thus unilaterally abrogating the existing half-and-half USSR-Iran agreements which, like all other Soviet treaties, the republics had agreed to respect upon their independence. It has been suggested by these countries that the Caspian Sea should be divided in proportion to each bordering country's shoreline, in which case Iran's share would be reduced to about 13%. The Iranian side has expressed eagerness to know if this means that all Irano–Russian and –Soviet agreements are void, entitling Iran to claim territorial sovereignty over lands lost to Russia by treaties that the parties still consider ''vivant''. Issues between [[Russia]], Kazakhstan, and [[Azerbaijan]] were settled in 2003, but Iran does not recognize these agreements, on the premise that the international law governing open water can not be applied to the Caspian Sea, which is in fact a lake (a landlocked body of water). Iran has not pressed its Caspian territorial claims in recent years because it relies heavily on Russia's support in its nuclear-development battle with the West.

=== Foreign policies ===
* [[The policy of exporting the Islamic Revolution]]
* [[Theory of Umm al-Qura]]
* [[Pattern-making policy of the Islamic Republic|Pattern-making of the Islamic Republic]]
* [[De-escalation policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran|De-escalation]]
* [[Dialogue Among Civilizations]]
* [[Look to the East policy|Look to the East]]
* [[Axis of Resistance]]
* [[Iran Experts Initiative]]
* [[Foreign policy of the Masoud Pezeshkian administration]]