Domestic challenges and foreign policy. (c2016)

Abstract

This thesis investigates the factors that motivated Iran to sign a nuclear agreement with the US and five other major international powers, known as the P5+1 group, in 2015. Although the Iranian regime’s ultimate goal in signing the deal was to lift economic sanctions and end Iran’s international isolation, it is obvious that its main objective was to ensure the regime’s survival. The international community imposed sanctions on Iran after it refused to suspend its nuclear program, which led to an economic crisis that crippled Iran. The thesis investigates the questions: Why has Iran shifted its position all of a sudden? What made Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, change his views? How can regimes and governments that are driven by ideology be pragmatic and resilient at times? Furthermore, this study will demonstrate the balance between Iran’s ideological views with pragmatism to achieve its goals. Iran was well aware of its economic challenges, which could have posed a threat to its domestic stability, similar to the uprising witnessed in neighboring nations. As a result of the nuclear deal, a strengthened regime, most economic sanctions were lifted and ended Iran’s international isolation.