Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Russian Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Political Science, University of Payam Noor, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jices.2023.95141
Abstract
Central Asia holds great historical, cultural, and civilizational significance for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Currently, it shares the broadest geographical and demographic ties with Iran. However, Iran's practical role in economic, political, and cultural relations within the region remains limited. This raises two main questions: What position and role has Iran occupied in influential regional developments, and why has it struggled to achieve significant results in practice? This article argues that Iran's policy in the region has largely been characterized by passivity, caution, and a tendency to maintain the status quo while aligning with Russia's foreign policy. This lack of initiative can be attributed to various challenges at the national, regional, and international levels. These include a weak private economic sector, cautious
behavior exhibited by regional elites, and international pressure that impedes Iran from fully utilizing its strategic capabilities. Consequently, Iran's actual role remains minimal despite its importance. It can be perceived as a missing link in terms of cooperation, integration, and regional development. However, since the onset of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, and particularly the 2022 war, Iran-Russia relations have grown stronger. This development has ushered in improved opportunities for collaboration between Iran and Central Asia. The neighborhood policy adopted by the new Iranian government in 2021, coupled with its focus on enhancing Eastern policy, is expected to create significant prospects for increased cooperation with Central Asian countries in the coming years. This discussion will initially address key regional issues and developments, followed by an examination of Iran's role in these dynamics. Lastly, the current situation and future prospects will be evaluated.
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