Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract Foreign policy is one of the most controversial areas of governance. The complexity,
fluidity, and sensitivity of issues and multiple actors involved make it hard to create
and maintain a stable consensus on foreign policy. Different models of consensusbuilding
have been applied in the different political systems. Concluding a multilateral
or bilateral agreement with other countries can be a starting point for widening the gap
between different political factions. JCPOA as a multilateral agreement between Iran
and the P5 + 1 caused many debates among Iranian political elites, even some years
after its conclusion in 2015. The main question of the article is that whether and to
what extent Iran has been successful in consensus-building in foreign policy. Focusing
on JCPOA's experience and using operational coding analysis, this article analyzes the
perceptual structures of political elites about JCPOA in the pre-and post-US
withdrawal. The operational code analysis of Iran's political elites about JCPOA
showed that there is no appropriate and efficient perceptual structure for creating a
stable consensus on Iran’s foreign policy between the three spectrums of
internationalist, anti-hegemonic, and swing elites.

Abstract The scope and implementation of nuclear safeguards have undergone massive changes and developments, which has resulted in a change in the principles and objectives of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and stricter control on peaceful nuclear programs and, in some cases, has even influenced the countries' sovereignty and security. The Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as a special international agreement, has an important and decisive role in the process of the transformation and development of nuclear safeguards. Iran is one of the countries that have faced certain challenges in the international arena in recent years due to the development and strengthening of nuclear safeguards. Given the impact of the mentioned changes and the continuation of international efforts to strengthen these safeguards, it is necessary and inevitable for the country to devise and pursue a strong strategy in regard to the international process of the strengthening of nuclear safeguards in the world.
 
 

Abstract Studies and analyses carried out about the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have not properly and accurately addressed the impact of the agreement on Iran's strategic status. This article seeks to study and analyze the impact of the JCPOA on Iran's strategic status in the international system through defining an exact and measurable framework. The authors have studied and measured the impact of the JCPOA on Iran's strategic status with the help of documents and resources available in libraries or on the Internet and by using SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The results and findings confirm the research assumption that the JCPOA has elevated Iran's strategic status in the international system.
 
 

Abstract Studies and analyses carried out about the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have not properly and accurately addressed the impact of the agreement on Iran's strategic status. This article seeks to study and analyze the impact of the JCPOA on Iran's strategic status in the international system through defining an exact and measurable framework. The authors have studied and measured the impact of the JCPOA on Iran's strategic status with the help of documents and resources available in libraries or on the Internet and by using SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The results and findings confirm the research assumption that the JCPOA has elevated Iran's strategic status in the international system.
 
 

Abstract In international relations, those who impose sanctions have different motives for using this tool. A change in the US government's policy toward the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the JCPOA, is a notable issue in this regard. The question asked by the present article is: Where was the theoretical point of departure for the difference in sanctions diplomacy under US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama toward Iran despite its commitment to the terms of the agreement? The article's hypothesis is that while the Obama administration's sanctions policy was more based on a motivation to make Iran committed to conforming to international norms, the Trump administration's main objective is to advance US interests as far as possible regardless of international legal restrictions. From this perspective, the nuclear deal was considered effective by the Obama administration, while the Trump administration regards it as ineffective. The hypothesis is theoretically based on realism and liberalism theories about the function of sanctions in international relations and has been studied here using an analytical-explanatory model and reliable data.
 
 

Abstract The paper illustrates the provisions of the Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement, Additional Protocol and JCPOA, in terms of the inspectors’ access to military sites and the restrictions thereof. The NPT and the comprehensive safeguard agreements have not envisaged any discretionary power for the IAEA regarding the access to military sites of the States Parties. Neither the Addition Protocol has foreseen such a right. JCPOA has a sophisticated and clear provisions but not a right to access to military sites and any such an access is subject to consent and voluntary cooperation of Iran.
 

Abstract   The nuclear deal between Iran and 5+1 can secure remarkably Iran’s national interest and with due regard to its context and the intentions thereof, the issue has of a strategic salience for Iran. According to provisions of the agreement Iran will maintain all its key nuclear facilities and program in exchange for some provisional limitations and routine inspections. The nuclear related sanctions will be removed and even those non-nuclear restrictions like with regard to missiles and armament will be terminated in 5 and 8 years after approval of the agreement. It needs to bear in mind that this doesn’t equal to meeting Iran’s interest in a concrete and guaranteed manner.

Abstract The paper intends to analyze the Iranian social capital in light of the JCPOA. Therefore, all events and trends observed in Iran after conclusion of the JCPOA are assumed as indicators for demonstrating the Iranian social capital. In this way, some implicit and explicit functions of the nuclear talks, the process of decision making in Iran, role of reference groups and citizens with respect to the talks that can strengthen or weaken the Iranian social capital are analyzed in this paper.    

Abstract With the implementation of the JCPOA and consequently the proper atmosphere about Iran, we have witnessed positive developments in Iran’s foreign trade. It is expected that after a while and with removal of sanctions and restrictions on trade and monetary transactions, the said developments and trend will continue to go on and so Iran will benefit more and more in its foreign trade. It needs to mention that optimization of these opportunities require the needed will to realization of the related aims. Accordingly, synergy and national consensus on economic plans and trade programs as well as continuous economic diplomacy can secure more desirable circumstances for Iran.      

Abstract The JACPOA has set some limitations and restriction on Iran’s nuclear activities while specifying some rights and privileges for Iran in nuclear, economic, financial, monetary and insurance fields for Iran. Putting an end on “possible Military dimensions”, removal of the threat of a coercive action under chapter VII of the UN Charter against Iran, termination of the nuclear related sanctions imposed by the EU and the USA, establishing the right of Iran to enjoy nuclear enrichment and heavy water technology and facilitation of its cooperation with other international partners in the field of nuclear activities are some the legal achievements that the author is discussing at this paper.    

Abstract With the adoption of the resolution 2231 dated 20 July 2015, all previous resolutions sanctioning Iran were terminated. One of the critical issues in these resolutions was the issue of Iran's military embargo. Although the JCPOA is not mentioning Iran's military embargo, however, the Security Council, did set some sanctions in the annex of the resolution. Of course, with some modifications these restrictions are completely different with previous ones and these new developments are discussed in this paper.  

Abstract   It seems that the strategic approach that highlights the regional and international importance of the JCPOA, can better shed a light on its implications. The strategic approach has meaningful difference from other legal, political, security and technical approaches. Bearing these differences the paper intends to prove the regional and international implications of JCPOA for Iran. In this regard, the main hypothesis is that JCPOA has changed Iran into a regional power and has increased its international reputation. To prove this hypothesis the author has used a documentary way of research and based his argument on the existing facts and future trends that may affect the regional and international actors.   .