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The Maghreb Review
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
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Middle Power Ambitions: Iran’s Niche Diplomacy in a Post-Unipolar Era

Authors: Mordechai Chaziza; Carmela Lutmar;

Middle Power Ambitions: Iran’s Niche Diplomacy in a Post-Unipolar Era

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study analyses the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy through the lens of niche diplomacy and the emerging middle power concept. As global power structures transition toward multipolarity, Iran has adapted its foreign policy to maximize its influence despite enduring sanctions, regional isolation, and internal economic pressures. By leveraging its geostrategic location, energy resources, proxy networks, religious-ideological appeal, and regional connectivity, Tehran has developed specialized spheres of influence, enabling it to project regional leadership without relying on traditional power metrics. Employing a multidimensional framework, the study evaluates Iran’s niche diplomacy across four key domains: proxy networks, energy, corridor connectivity, and religious influence. It argues that Iran’s foreign policy represents a pragmatic recalibration of its revolutionary ideology, allowing Tehran to sustain strategic relevance in an increasingly fragmented global order. This analysis contributes to broader international relations debates on the agency of emerging middle powers in a post-unipolar world, particularly in understudied regions such as the Middle East.

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    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
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    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
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Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
3
Top 10%
Average
Average
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