EVALUATING THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN’S PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

This study investigates the role of ‘public diplomacy’ as an instrument of soft power in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy. Its looks at the importance and conduct of public diplomacy in this country’s foreign policy. The paper specifically attempts to see how is ‘public diplomacy’ viewed by the Iranian foreign policy and public diplomacy elites, and how is Iran conducting its public diplomacy on the ground. The research among others found that the nature of the public diplomacy activities is in line with late Ayatollah Khomeini’s doctrine of ‘exporting revolution’. It also found that this country is conducting a rigourous public diplomacy across the world. It has also established a mammoth machinery of public diplomacy consisted of different organizations. These entities are active in the area of public diplomacy, conducting numerous programs ranging from dissemination of information and developmental programs to educational and cultural activities across the world.