Since the early 2000s, the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) has been pursuing an active policy in the region. The Syrian crisis has challenged Iran’s positions in the Middle East. A number of factors determine Iran’s policy in Syria and other Middle Eastern states. Iran’s stand on the Syrian conflict is influenced by religious reasons stemming from the Arab-Iranian historical heritage; the presence of groups of the population that are confessionally and ethnically close to Iran; and Tehran’s ability to change the regional balance of power in its favor. At the same time, Iran’s policy in Syria has affected Iran’s relations with key regional and global players in the Middle East. This fact shows the relevance of this article, which examines the above-mentioned factors.
Iran; Syrian Crisis; Middle East; Shiites; Alawites.