عبدالمطلب عبداله رهیافت انقلاب اسلامی 2980-9118 20 74 2026 05 22 Policy-Making of Russia and the United States in the South Caucasus and Its Impact on the National Interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran سیاستگذاری روسیه و آمریکا در قفقاز جنوبی و تأثیر آن بر منافع ملی ج.ا.ایران 263 288 247019 FA علی جهانی گروه علوم سیاسی، واحد تبریز، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تبریز، ایران. رضا نصیری حامد دانشیار گروه علوم سیاسی، دانشگاه تبریز، تبریز، ایران (نویسنده مسئول). 0000-0001-7977-0531 جلیل نائبیان دانشیار گروه تاریخ، دانشگاه تبریز، تبریز، ایران. Journal Article 2025 12 19 The South Caucasus has become one of the most important arenas of geopolitical competition between Russia and the United States following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The main research question of this study is: how has the policy-making of Russia and the United States in the South Caucasus affected the national interests and security of the Islamic Republic of Iran? The research hypothesis is based on the assumption that the geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the United States in the South Caucasus, aimed at controlling the balance of power, energy routes, and strategic corridors, has increased security and geopolitical pressures on Iran and has further complicated its surrounding security environment. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method and relies on realist theory to examine the dimensions of competition between the two powers in the South Caucasus and its implications for Iran. The findings indicate that the United States, through the expansion of its political, security, and energy-oriented influence in the region, has sought to limit Iran’s geopolitical role, while Russia, despite sharing some interests with Iran in countering Western influence, has primarily aimed to preserve its traditional sphere of influence and geopolitical dominance in the South Caucasus. Consequently, the competition between these two powers has made Iran’s security and geopolitical environment in the South Caucasus more complex and sensitive. Introduction The South Caucasus has emerged as a critical geopolitical arena following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its strategic location at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, along with its energy resources and transit corridors, has made it a focal point of competition between Russia and the United States. This section outlines the geopolitical importance of the region and situates the research problem within the broader context of great-power rivalry and its implications for the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Materials and Methods This study employs a descriptive-analytical research design and is grounded in realist theory, particularly neo-realism and geopolitical approaches. Data have been collected through library-based sources, including books, peer-reviewed articles, and policy reports. The analytical framework focuses on examining the strategic behaviors of Russia and the United States in the South Caucasus and interpreting their implications for Iran’s security and national interests. Results The findings indicate that the United States has pursued a strategy of expanding political, economic, and security influence in the South Caucasus, aiming to integrate regional states into Western-oriented structures and develop alternative energy corridors bypassing Russia and Iran. In contrast, Russia has sought to preserve its traditional sphere of influence through military presence, conflict management, and regional alliances. These competing strategies have intensified geopolitical competition and significantly increased pressure on Iran’s northern security environment. Discussion The analysis shows that the South Caucasus functions as a core space of geopolitical rivalry within Eurasia. The United States’ efforts to reshape energy routes and expand NATO-linked influence have contributed to the marginalization of Iran’s transit role, while Russia’s dominance has simultaneously constrained Iran’s independent maneuverability. Although Iran shares some strategic alignment with Russia in opposing Western expansion, Russia’s own hegemonic interests often limit full convergence. Consequently, Iran is compelled to adopt a multidimensional balancing strategy to protect its national interests amid a highly unstable and competitive regional environment. قفقاز جنوبی پس از فروپاشی اتحاد جماهیر شوروی، به یکی از مهم‌ترین عرصه‌های رقابت ژئوپلیتیکی میان روسیه و ایالات متحده آمریکا تبدیل شده است. پرسش اصلی پژوهش حاضر این است که سیاستگذاری روسیه و آمریکا در قفقاز جنوبی چه تأثیری بر منافع و امنیت ملی جمهوری اسلامی ایران داشته است؟ فرضیه تحقیق بر این مبنا استوار است که رقابت ژئوپلیتیکی روسیه و آمریکا در قفقاز جنوبی، با هدف کنترل موازنه قدرت، مسیرهای انرژی و کریدورهای راهبردی، موجب افزایش فشارهای امنیتی و ژئوپلیتیکی بر ایران و پیچیده‌تر شدن محیط امنیت پیرامونی آن شده است. این پژوهش با استفاده از روش توصیفی ـ تحلیلی و با تکیه بر نظریه واقع‌گرایی، ابعاد رقابت دو قدرت در قفقاز جنوبی و پیامدهای آن برای ایران را بررسی می‌کند. یافته‌های تحقیق نشان می‌دهد آمریکا با گسترش نفوذ سیاسی، امنیتی و انرژی‌محور خود در منطقه، درصدد محدودسازی نقش ژئوپلیتیکی ایران بوده، در حالی که روسیه نیز با وجود اشتراک منافع با ایران در مقابله با نفوذ غرب، عمدتاً در پی حفظ حوزه نفوذ سنتی و برتری ژئوپلیتیکی خود در قفقاز جنوبی بوده است. در نتیجه، رقابت این دو قدرت، محیط امنیتی و ژئوپلیتیکی ایران در قفقاز جنوبی را پیچیده‌تر و حساس‌تر کرده است.

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