The Thirteenth Government, under the leadership of the Late President Raisi, based its foreign policy on a return to the foundational principles of the Islamic Republic. The administration emphasized two main pillars: balancing relations with international actors and prioritizing diplomacy with neighboring countries. Consistent with these principles, the government actively sought to expand regional ties, strategically plan diplomatic engagements, and address misunderstandings with neighboring states.
Through regional visits personally undertaken by President Raisi, the administration pursued its balancing policy. For instance, during a visit to Russia, important agreements were signed, including cooperation in the upstream oil sectors, gas transit, and transportation projects. Additionally, Raisi’s trip to Tajikistan secured Iran’s permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), while a visit to Turkmenistan resulted in a trilateral gas swap agreement with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
The organization of the trilateral summit between Iran, Russia, and Turkey, and the visit to Qatar, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across security, economic, political, and cultural spheres (Saraswat, 2024). Nevertheless, at the time, experts and public observers noted a lack of a coherent economic diplomacy strategy, suggesting shortcomings in the media apparatus of the Raisi administration. Despite these criticisms, one strategic success was the administration’s decision to decouple the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations from domestic economic well-being, avoiding the economic vulnerabilities associated with previous administrations.
Another significant aspect of Raisi’s foreign policy was the expansion of relations with Africa and Latin America. In foreign relations, a comprehensive understanding of national capabilities and external environments is crucial (Mearsheimer, 2001). Raisi emphasized the necessity of understanding regional dynamics, recognizing opportunities and vulnerabilities, and leveraging them. Africa, particularly post-Cold War, has emerged as a region with unique economic, cultural, and geographical significance. South Africa, among others, became a strategic focal point for Raisi’s administration.
China’s strategic engagement with Africa since the early 2000s serves as a relevant comparison. Beijing’s participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) enabled the rapid expansion of trade with Africa, surpassing $200 billion by 2019, and China becoming Africa’s largest trading partner (Alden, 2007; Oritsejafor & Cooper, 2021). Chinese President Xi Jinping announced $60 billion in investments into African economies during the 2015 and 2018 FOCAC summits (FOCAC, 2018). In contrast, Iran’s engagement remained limited, with only a single joint chamber of commerce established in Africa. Nevertheless, Raisi viewed the expansion into African markets as a realistic and necessary long-term strategy.
Regarding Latin America, Raisi regarded Iran’s position as comparatively more developed. Historical data shows that trade between Iran and Latin America increased from $900 million in 2000 to nearly $4 billion by 2013, although it later declined during the eleventh and twelfth administrations. Under Raisi, attention to the region was revitalized, recognizing Latin America’s considerable strategic value. The region possesses approximately 30% of the world’s freshwater resources, 25% of global forested and arable land, and major mineral reserves, holding 65% of global lithium, 42% of silver, and significant shares of copper and iron (World Bank, 2021).
Moreover, Raisi identified shared geopolitical challenges with certain Latin American nations, particularly Venezuela, due to mutual experiences with U.S. sanctions. Iran also had historical relations with countries such as Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador, notably in sectors like petrochemicals and infrastructure development during the Ahmadinejad administration Özkan, 2017). Raisi’s foreign policy aimed to rejuvenate and enhance these strategic partnerships with renewed vigor.
Finally, Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization under Raisi further reflected the administration’s eastward-oriented foreign policy. Membership in the SCO was a strategic move to strengthen Iran’s ties with major regional powers such as Russia, China, and India. It is evident that even after Raisi’s martyrdom and the official end of his administration, Iran’s SCO membership holds the potential to significantly impact its international standing and foreign relations.
References
- Alden, C. (2007). China in Africa. Zed Books.
- Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (2018). Beijing Declaration and Action Plan. Retrieved from [focac.org]
- Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Oritsejafor, E. O., & Cooper, A. D. (Eds.). (2021). Africa and the global system of capital accumulation. Routledge.
- Özkan, M. (2017). Iranian Foreign Policy Toward Latin America. Center for Iranian Studies in Ankara.
- Saraswat, D. (2024). Iran’s Look East Policy Under Ebrahim Raisi: Tracing the Rise of a Middle Power. Strategic Analysis, 48(3), 211-228.
- World Bank. (2021). World Development Indicators. Retrieved from [worldbank.org]
By: Seyed Vahid Nabavizaadeh Namaazi
