- Florya Chronicles of Political Economy
- Vol: 3 Issue: 2
- Iran’s New Presence in the Chess of the Black Sea Region and the Caucasus
Iran’s New Presence in the Chess of the Black Sea Region and the Caucasus
Authors : Mojtaba Barghandan
Pages : 23-40
View : 9 | Download : 5
Publication Date : 2017-10-04
Article Type : Research
Abstract :This paper examines the new policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the Black Sea Region and the Caucasus. The historical and prerevolution mindset in Iran with respect to the strategic importance of these geographies faced serious shift after the 1979 Revolution and then with the USSR dissolution in 1991. With the succeeding developments in its surrounding geographies on the eve of 21st century, Iran began to outline a powerful mental plan to consolidate and/or renew its place in the strategic map of these regions. This article argues that, Iran began to introduce short and long term energy supply projects and provided support for it in these regions. Within this framework, the aim is to understand the factors that has stimulated Iran’s attention and new engagement in these geographies and its vitality both for itself and for the countries of these regions and the world. This paper has found that the historical heritage is the major factor for Iran’s engagement in these regions. Nevertheless, this factor might not explain Iran’s success or failure. However, other issues such as Iran’s new economic, political and security motives based on a multi-dimensional approach in the last two or three decades, plus its geographical location and geopolitical position, have played roles in this regardKeywords : Black Sea, Caucasus, Iran, Energy, Security, Economic