Capacities and Requirements of the Institutionalist Approach in the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Subject Areas : • Innovative, creative and methodical descriptions and explanations in the field of theories and methods
Abbas Ziaeddini
1
,
mohammad kamalizadeh
2
,
Seyed Khodayar Mortazavi
3
,
Seyed Ataollah Sinaee
4
1 - Ph.D. Student in Political Science, Tehran South Branch, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Institute for Humanities and Social Studies, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Tehran South Branch, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: Institution, Institutionalism, Institutional Capacities, Constitution, Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.,
Abstract :
Capacities and Requirements of the Institutionalist
Approach in the Foreign Policy of the
Islamic Republic of Iran
Abbas Ziaoddini*
Mohammad Kamalizadeh**
Seyyed Khodayar Mortazavi***
Seyyed Ataollah Sinaei****
This research seeks to examine the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran through the lens of institutionalism. This approach is predicated on the assumption that institutional structures and rules established upon specific principles, norms, attitudes, and values constrain the options available to policymakers and steer them toward particular decisions. The foreign policy approach of the I.R. Iran is no exception to this rule. By employing an institutionalist framework and a descriptive-analytical method, this article addresses the following research questions: How can the capacities of institutionalism be leveraged to render the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran more efficient and effective, and what indicators distinguish the foreign policy of the I.R. Iran from an institutionalist perspective? The findings indicate that strengthening institutional interactions, enhancing coordination among domestic institutions, and utilizing regional and international cultural, economic, and strategic capacities are among the key imperatives of institutionalism for the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Keywords: Institution, Institutionalism, Institutional Capacities, Constitution, Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Introduction
The general premise of foreign policy is that the state, as a social institution, is situated within two distinct environments: on the one hand, the domestic environment, comprising all institutions located within the territory defined by the state and their mutual interactions; and on the other hand, the external environment, consisting of all other states, their bilateral interactions, and international institutions. Conventional International Relations theory posits that the state is constantly engaged in attempts to intervene in both environments; that is, it enters into both domestic and foreign politics (Eslami & Akbari, 2020: 4). Foreign policy encompasses the decisions, actions, and initiatives of a country vis-à-vis other actors and the international environment (Reynolds, 2001: 63). Therefore, foreign policy is pursued on the basis of a predetermined plan, program, and strategy formulated by decision-makers to secure specific, defined objectives (Dehghani Firoozabadi, 2015: 21).
This article seeks to examine the capacities and imperatives of institutionalism to offer solutions for reinforcing this approach in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The primary question addressed by this study is: How can the capacities and imperatives of institutionalism be leveraged to render the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran more efficient and effective?
Research Methodology and Theoretical Framework
This study utilizes a descriptive-analytical method based on library research and document analysis to investigate the impact of institutionalism on the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The theoretical framework of the research is grounded in New Institutionalism.
The foundations of New Institutionalism are attributed to March and Olsen, who, in a seminal 1984 article, called for renewed attention to the institutional character of politics. The primary themes of their argument can be outlined as follows:
- Political institutions possess relative autonomy and independent effects, and their organizational properties matter. From the perspective of New Institutionalism, both contextualism which reduces politics to a mere reflection of society and reductionism which reduces politics to the aggregate behavior of individuals are rejected.
- Politics revolves around the interpretation of life, the elaboration of meaning, purpose, and direction, and not merely around policymaking and resource allocation.
- Attention must be paid to the ways in which institutionalized rules, routines, standards, and norms shape behavior, underscoring that political action cannot be reduced solely to the conduct of calculating individuals. History is not sufficient, yet institutions cannot be regarded as ahistorical (March & Olsen, 1984: 749).
From their perspective, political actors organize themselves and their conduct in accordance with socially constructed routines and rules that are publicly known and accepted. By virtue of these rules and procedures, political institutions define fundamental political rights and duties, structure and regulate the allocation of privileges, opportunities, and obligations in society, and establish authority to resolve conflicts. Administrative bodies, legislative committees, and courts while serving as arenas for the contestation of social forces are also sets of standard operating procedures and structures that define and constrain individual interests and choices, constituting political agents in their own right.
Institutions and Institutionalism in the Foreign Policy of the I.R. Iran
The institutional capacities embedded in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran comprise the following:
- The Role of Domestic Institutions in Iran’s Foreign Policy: These institutions include the government and the diplomatic apparatus, the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles), and extra-branch (supra-constitutional) bodies such as the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and the Supreme Leader. Each of these institutions, by virtue of its legal standing, exercises a decisive influence over the formulation and execution of foreign policy (Dehghani Firoozabadi, 2019: 23).
- The Executive Branch and Diplomatic Apparatus: The government and specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is regarded as the primary executive institution in Iranian foreign policy. It bears direct responsibility for conducting negotiations, implementing international accords, and managing the state’s diplomatic relations.
- The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles): As the legislative authority, the Islamic Consultative Assembly helps delineate the legal parameters of foreign policy. The parliament influences foreign affairs by ratifying or rejecting international treaties and agreements, allocating budgetary resources to the diplomatic apparatus, and exercising oversight over the executive branch. The Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission is a specialized body tasked with reviewing foreign policy matters.
- Extra-Branch Institutions and the Leadership: In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Supreme Leader occupies a strategic position in steering foreign policy. The regime’s overarching macro-policies in international relations are formulated based on the directives of the Supreme Leader in consultation with bodies such as the Supreme National Security Council (Dehghani Firoozabadi, 2019: 56). The SNSC, as the country’s highest political and security decision-making institution, plays a vital role in determining foreign policy strategy and oversees the trajectory of international negotiations and engagements (Rahmani, 2020: 45).
- Regional and International Institutions and Iran’s Position: Regional and international organizations constitute a vital pillar of institutionalism in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These bodies provide Iran with opportunities to utilize multilateral cooperation to secure its national interests. Notable examples include the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, and regional pacts and organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) (Rahmani, 2020: 102).
- Iran’s Cultural, Economic, and Strategic Capacities in Leveraging Institutionalism: Possessing a historical civilization, extensive energy resources, and an advantageous geopolitical position, Iran exhibits high potential for active participation in international institutions. For instance, Iran’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reflects the mobilization of economic capacities within international interactions (ibid.: 152).
- Cultural Capacities: With its rich historical civilization and cultural footprint across the Islamic world and the Shia sphere, Iran possesses substantial potential for cultural diplomacy. Iranian cultural centers abroad, international media presence, and participation in global cultural organizations represent key institutional strategies in this domain (Dehghani Firoozabadi, 2019: 18).
- Economic Capacities: As one of the world’s leading oil and natural gas producers, Iran can play a pivotal role in global energy governance through platforms such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) (Reuters, 2025: 5).
- Strategic Capacities: Iran’s geopolitical position across the Middle East, the Caspian Sea, and the Persian Gulf enables the state to maintain an active role in regional security architectures and political processes.
Conclusion
The Islamic Republic of Iran possesses expansive capacities for utilizing institutionalism in its foreign policy. Domestic institutions such as the executive branch, parliament, the Supreme National Security Council, and the Leadership play key roles in foreign policymaking. Concurrently, Iran’s engagement with regional and international organizations lays the groundwork for strengthening multilateral cooperation. Furthermore, Iran’s cultural, economic, and strategic assets can be mobilized as instruments of institutional diplomacy in the nation’s foreign affairs. Reinforcing the role of domestic institutions in foreign policy decision-making, pursuing constructive engagement with international bodies and multilateral diplomacy, managing structural challenges and barriers, and outlining strategies to consolidate institutionalism were focal points of this analysis. By enacting viable and operational policies in these domains, Iran can more effectively harness the capacities of institutionalism to render its foreign policy more efficient and efficacious in safeguarding its national interests.
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* Corresponding Author: Ph.D. Student in Political Science, Tehran South Branch, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
a.ziaeddin@yahoo.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0009-5718-4128
** Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Institute for Humanities and Social Studies, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
mohammadkamalizadeh@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1391-6547
*** Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Tehran South Branch, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0514-4412
**** Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
sinaee@pnu.ac.ir
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6999-3042
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