Iran as a Regional Power in West Asia: Opportunities and Challenges

The disintegration of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War transformed international politics, altering the character of the world order. The end of bipolarity opened up new spaces for rising countries to exploit and many vassalised states began playing a vital role in the redistribution of power. Situated between the Caucasus and the Indian Ocean, Iran holds an important military–strategic position with the ability to control the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea area, Afghanistan and even Pakistan. However, it is also the rupture point in the chain of American outposts in the greater Middle East region. This paper assesses the nature and characteristics of regional powers in West Asia and examines the prospects of Iran becoming the leading power in the region. It identifies the conditions favourable to and the barriers against such an ambition.