Abstract:
For the past two centuries Iran has struggled to maintain its strategic independence against Western powers. Yet, Tehran’s policy options have mainly depended on the level of discordant relations among such powers. The Cold War allowed it a reprieve from foreign domination both under the Shah and the current regime. Paradoxically, Iran’s refusal to acknowledge the shift in global power that occurred with the collapse of the Soviet Union has rendered them unable to exploit the more favorable regional balance in the Caspian. The US however, has similarly failed to achieve its regional objectives, despite its overwhelming power. This mutual frustration warrants a review of their fundamental interests to determine how the US and Iran should relate to one another.
