Geopolitical and Geostrategic Factors of Russia Influencing the Defense Strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Supreme National Defense University, Tehran, Iranدبیر گروه

2 Assistant Professor, Army Command and Staff University

3 Research Center For Sciences and Studies of the Holy Defense

4 Student of Geopolitics and Geostrategy at the National Defense University

Abstract

This study aims to identify the geopolitical and geostrategic factors of the Russia that influence the formation and development of the defense strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a regional and global strategic power, Russia has played a significant role in its interactions with Iran, largely due to its distinctive geographical position. Geopolitics, understood as the study of the impact of geographical location on international politics, is employed here to examine how Russia utilizes its position in northeastern Europe and Central Asia to safeguard and expand its influence in bordering regions. Such influence is reinforced through military and economic cooperation with regional states, including Iran. Geostrategy, on the other hand, refers to the strategic use of geographical space to achieve long-term national objectives. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical method and applies a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through library-based research and in-depth interviews with ten experts, and subsequently validated by sixty specialists and practitioners. The findings led to the identification of thirty-six geopolitical and geostrategic indicators related to the Russia, which were classified into six dimensions: military–security, political, geographical, economic, social, and cultural–civilizational. Among these indicators, twenty-six were identified as strengths and ten as weaknesses. Overall, the findings indicate that these geopolitical and geostrategic factors constitute key determinants in shaping and influencing the defense strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in its strategic engagement with the Russia.

Keywords

Strategic Defense Studies
Volume 23, Issue 102
February 2026
Pages 5-36

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