Rethinking the Foundational Assumptions of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Research on Middle Eastern Arab Countries A Critical and Constructivist Approach

Over recent decades, Iranian scholarship on Arab countries has expanded significantly, yet it remains deeply anchored in specific epistemological assumptions. Using a mixed theoretical framework of constructivism and critical sociology, this study analyzes the underlying cognitive structures of Iranian regional studies. Through a qualitative content analysis of ۵۰ academic articles and expert interviews, the findings reveal a predominant Hobbesian strategic culture in which ۷۰% of the literature prioritizes security threats and ۵۵% perceives Arab nations as existential rivals. The research argues that this othering process has led to an epistemological impasse, where even cooperative efforts are interpreted as temporary tactical maneuvers. This paper concludes that to reduce the cognitive costs of foreign policy, a paradigm shift is required—moving from an "absolute security-oriented" approach toward a connecting political economy and shared regional identity. Finally, the study suggests that institutionalizing "joint scientific diplomacy" is essential for replacing institutionalized mistrust with a framework of sustainable development and collective security.

کلیدواژه ها:

regional studies ، Islamic Republic of Iran ، Arab Countries ، Hobbesian Strategic Culture ، Epistemological Impasse ، Constructivism ، Scientific Diplomacy