Modeling and Strategic Analysis of the Conflict between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran, Using Non-Cooperative Game Theory

The hard conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRAN) and the United States of America (US) has been discussed for decades by bothdomestic and external analysts. In this paper, the conflict between the US and IRAN has been modeled and analyzed, using game theory approach in non-cooperative mode. The analysis of this conflict has been conducted based on the graph model for conflict resolution and using GMCR+ decision support system. This analysis considers two decision makers (DMs) containing the US and IRAN.Sixteenfeasible states have been analyzed among 1024 possible combinationsand accordingly, six states are predicted as the equilibria. Based on different solution concepts for stability definition and the preferences vector of DMs on different scenarios, the model’sequilibrium is determined.In other words, the most likely outcome of the conflict is predicted.The equilibrium resulted from the analysis of the model,expresses that, the possibilityof a severe conflict between the US and IRAN is very unlikely.The other equilibria can determine the behavior of each of the battle players depending on the different circumstances of the conflict. The analyses results show that using this method enables us to analyze the behavior of the battle players in a rational process of decision making to reach the self-desired state or outcome. Findings of this research might help both players to make the right decision and to adopt an appropriate response in confronting the enemy and to change the behavior and decision of the enemy.