Explaining the Perception Gap Between Iran and Western Powers Regarding the Nuclear Program from the Perspectives of Defensive and Offensive Realism

Abstract

This study provides a comparative examination of the nuclearization process of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the perspectives of Defensive Realism and Offensive Realism. In this regard, using the aforementioned theoretical frameworks, the political, security, and diplomatic analyses of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the nuclear domain are comprehensively investigated. The research first introduces and explicates the key concepts and theoretical foundations of defensive and offensive realism, and then applies these concepts to the analysis of Iran’s nuclear policy. The comparative analysis of Iran’s nuclear trajectory from both defensive and offensive realist perspectives reveals a combination of security strategies and balance-of-power considerations in Iran’s foreign policy. On the one hand, Iran seeks to enhance national security and deterrence against external threats through its nuclear capabilities; on the other hand, given regional and global rivalries, its nuclear policy also incorporates offensive dimensions aimed at power enhancement. Within this context, the analysis of Iran’s interactions with the P5+1 countries and other international actors—particularly in relation to nuclear negotiations and agreements associated with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—is of particular importance. Drawing upon diverse academic sources, historical and legal analyses, and a review of texts related to Iran’s nuclear policy, this study concludes that Iran’s nuclear behavior reflects a hybrid pattern combining both defensive and offensive approaches, each employed under different conditions and shaped by international and regional variables. Furthermore, the existing body of research in this field exhibits various strengths and weaknesses, which are critically examined in this study. The findings of this research may serve as a new analytical foundation for the assessment of Iran’s nuclear policies and contribute to a more refined understanding of its interactions at both international and regional levels.