A Study On The Evolution Of Iran's Persian Gulf Policy From 1971 To 1997

The purpose of this paper is to comb the evolution process of Iran's Persian Gulf policy between 1970 s and 1990 s,and to clarify the evolution causes of it.Iran's Persian Gulf policy included two aspects.First,Iran's strategy,governance and control policy in the Persian Gulf.Second,the benign interaction and zero-sum game between Iran and the Gulf states and the outside states that deeply involved in the Persian Gulf affairs,as well as the strategies and measures that taken by Iran to deal with the Persian Gulf region crisis.The Persian Gulf is located in the southern part of Iranian plateau,known as the “gateway”of Iran.For Iran,the Persian Gulf has multiple strategic values,such as politics,economy,culture,transportation,national defense and security.It is the comprehensive embodiment of Iran's mixed mode national interests and core national interests.The maintenance of Iran's dominant power over the Persian Gulf and the security and stability of the Persian Gulf are related to rise and fall of Iran.As early as the ancient Persian empire,Persians had included the Persian Gulf into the empire's territory,and ancient Iranian dynasties maintained the ownership of it.The magnificent history and hegemonic memory have made Iranian regarded themselves as masters of the Persian Gulf.However,as modern western colonial countries entered into the Persian Gulf successively,Iranian status in the Persian Gulf gradually weakened,and losing control of the Persian Gulf.But Iranian believe strongly that they will become leading regional role again and return the dominance of the persian Gulf.Based on Iran's incomparable realistic advantages in the Gulf and the memory of traditional hegemonic era,the reconstruction of Iran's dominant power in the Gulf has been the consistent goals of the Persian Gulf policy of successive Iranian governments.The withdrawal of Britain forces from the Persian Gulf in 1971 ushered in a new era of Iranian geopolitical domination in the region.The shah seize the historical opportunity once in a blue moon,with the help of “Twin Pillars”strategy of the United States,as well as rising in oil prices bring huge income,actively planning and implementing Iran's Persian Gulf policy.In the 1970 s,Iran's Persian Gulf policy has safeguarded Iranian national security,fulfilled Iranian relative control over the Persian Gulf,and explored its compatibility with Gulf Arab states.Overall,Iran's Persian Gulf policy in the 1970 s was pragmatic and successful.Since the revolution in 1979,the Persian Gulf policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has evolved from a policy maily driven by revolutionary Islamic ideology,to one predominantly influenced by national interest.Khomeini advocated export Islamic revolution,attempted to subvert the regional order,which was jointly suppressed by the Gulf Arab states and western states.The Iranian government modified its radical views to concentrate on developing its own state,especially after the Iran-Iraq war.The emphasis on national interest became generally more prevalent than ideology,and the Islamic Republic was keen to eatablish better relations with its neighbours.Newly elected President Rafsanjani concentrated on his policy on economic development which needed better ties with Iran's neighbors and the west.Since the massive arrival of foreign,in particular Amercian,force in the area during the Crisis,Iran wanted to see their departure.But Iranian relations with the Gulf states were restrained by distrust and the Arab ruler's fears of Iranian domination.Iran's Persian Gulf policy failed to achieve expected goals.Iran is well-deserved leading regional role in the Persian Gulf,and has a certain power of calling in Persian Gulf affairs.Especially in the 1970 s,Iran,as the leading military power in the Persian Gulf,had a relative advantage in the geopolitical environment of the Persian Gulf.However,Since the Islamic revolution,it has always been difficult for Iran to integrate into regional order in the Persian Gulf.Its relations with the Gulf Arab states have fluctuated,and it has been in confrontation with the United States on many regional issues.Up to now,Iran's international situation and geopolitical environment have been passive and inferior.At present,this situation will be difficult to change in the future.