Iran’s Foreign Policy in Central Asia

Abstract Western perceptions of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran tend to be dominated by considerations of the many belligerent statements from Iranian leaders. Such a picture ignores Iran’s foreign policy toward the Islamic nations of Central Asia. Iran’s leaders, while basing some of their foreign policy on their self-identification as the vanguard of a global revolutionary movement, pursue a more pragmatic course with the nations of Central Asia. Issues of trade, finance, resources, and other non-ideological national interests have dominated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s relations with Central Asia.