Role of shiite Islam in shaping the foreign policy

Abstract

This study is an analysis of the role of Shia Islam in influencing foreign policy making process and its implementation in Islamic Republic of Iran (lRI). The form of Government formed as a result of the Islamic revolution based on Shia version of Islam, led by Ayatollah Imam Khomeini. The position of Rehbar, the supreme leader of Iran and the system of Vallayat e Faqih has great role as per the Constitution of IRI. The study had drawn a comaparitive study of Shia Islam and its political and theoretical perspectiv s that inform foreign policy decisions of the Islamic Republic. Institutions that influence the foreign policy decisions and perception to some extent is result of the 1979 Revolution. The study elaborates on varied aspects of the outcomes of Islamic Revolution and its impact on IRI's foreign relations in the Middle East and in the International System.