Quarterly Journal of West Asian Studies
(Faṣlnāmah-i Gharb-i Asiyā)

Quarterly Journal of West Asian Studies (Faṣlnāmah-i Gharb-i Asiyā)

The Role of National Identity and the Resistance Front in Rouhani's Foreign Policy (1392-1400)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Political Science and International Relations, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 PhD student in International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/wasj.2026.575954.1130
Abstract
The foreign policy a combination of design goals, selected strategies for operationalizing goals, and success in managing challenges posed by other actors. political action is explained by reference to the identity of the country. Iran follows the identity of resistance to protect its territorial and political integrity, prevent military and geopolitical threats, and maximize its national interests in the direction of the country's national identity. Constructivism was considered as a theoretical framework. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the role of national identity and the resistance front in the foreign policy (1400-1392) the Rouhani era. This research was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The main question of the research is what role did national identity and the Resistance Front play in the development and formation of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran during the Rouhani era? The results showed that the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from the perspective of the Resistance Front as a regional power, has been following a change in the direction of foreign policy since 2013. The Resistance Front found itself in completely new and different strategic and field conditions during the Rouhani era compared to the past. In general, the Rouhani government's foreign policy set has tried to change the previously constructed image of the Islamic Republic of Iran by creating a different image of it as an active and responsible actor in the field of peace and security, and reduce threats and restrictions against the country. The Rouhani era, with the aim of prioritizing national identity, provided the conditions for a change in the direction of Iran's interests and strengthened the areas of interaction with the Islamic Republic of Iran by changing the views of government officials and supporters of sanctions and pressure.
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Volume 3, Issue 3 - Serial Number 10
Winter 2026
Pages 167-198

  • Receive Date 15 February 2026
  • Revise Date 30 April 2026
  • Accept Date 30 April 2026
  • First Publish Date 30 April 2026
  • Publish Date 23 September 2025