Analysis and Evaluation of Anti-Sanction Measures in the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (2013 - 2024) from a Neorealism Perspective

Document Type : Iran's foreign policy

Authors

1 Master student of Islamic Studies and Political Science, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

2 Master student of Islamic Studies and Political Science, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Islamic Knowledge and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

This article offers a comparative-qualitative analysis of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s approach to foreign sanctions from the perspective of Neorealism. Throughout the eleven-year period from 2013 to 2024 (1392–1403 in the Iranian calendar), Iran has faced significant economic and political pressures, with successive administrations persistently striving to mitigate these challenges. By focusing on various policy measures undertaken during this decade, the study examines how Iranian policymakers employed both hard and soft power tools to respond to sanctions. The findings indicate that the governments in office during this period adopted realist strategies aimed at enhancing Iran’s economic and political position, reducing international pressure, and safeguarding national security. The results suggest that over the course of the decade, Iran, through a range of strategies and approaches, was able to partially lessen the impact of sanctions. The article hypothesizes that, despite considerable similarities, substantial differences in governmental approaches led the Eleventh and Twelfth administrations to focus more on aspects of realist hedging policy, while the Thirteenth administration placed greater emphasis on balancing.

Keywords

State Studies of Contemporary Iran
Volume 11, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
autumn 2025
October 2025
Pages 159-188

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 24 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 25 June 2025
  • Publish Date: 23 September 2025

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