Examining the European Union's Normative Approach Toward Iran (1993–2024)

Samoudi Pilehroud, Alireza; Mahmoudi, Mohammad Sadegh

doi:10.22034/irfa.2025.495691.1269

Examining the European Union's Normative Approach Toward Iran (1993–2024)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Alireza Samoudi Pilehroud ¹

Mohammad Sadegh Mahmoudi ²

¹ Ph.D in European Studies, Faculty Member at the Institute for Security and Progress Studies, Tehran, Iran

² Ph.D Student in Political Science, Department of Political Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22034/irfa.2025.495691.1269

Abstract

The relationship between Iran and European countries dates back centuries, rooted in a long history of interaction shaped by mutual interests and shifting geopolitical contexts. Given this deep historical background and their unique strategic circumstances, both parties remain vital to one another. The evolving landscape of opportunities and threats in Tehran–Brussels relations has led both Iran and the European Union to consistently reassess their bilateral ties. In this context, Iran and the EU take into account Europe's economic, political, and security capabilities, alongside the broader trajectory of their longstanding relationship. A critical turning point in these relations has been the European Union's strategic shift from a normative approach—grounded in the promotion of values such as human rights and democracy—towards a more security-oriented posture. This transformation has significantly influenced the nature of Iran–EU engagement. This article addresses the central question: Why has the EU's strategy toward Iran shifted between 1993 and 2024? To answer this, the study adopts a comprehensive approach, drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Neorealism and Constructivism. It argues that while the European Union has historically positioned itself as a normative power—basing its external actions on shared European values—external pressures, including the 2008 financial crisis, migration flows, and the rise of right-wing populism, have increasingly pushed the EU toward prioritizing security concerns. The research employs a qualitative methodology to analyze this shift, offering insights into how structural and ideational factors have shaped the EU's evolving stance toward Iran.

Keywords

Neorealism

Constructivism

Iran

European Union

Normative power

Subjects

European Union foreign policy and and Iran`s Position

Article Title Persian

تبیین رویکرد هنجاری اتحادیه اروپا در قبال ایران از سال 1993 تا 2024

Authors Persian

علیرضا ثمودی ¹

محمد صادق محمودی ²

¹ دکترای مطالعات اروپایی، عضو هیئت علمی موسسه مطالعات امنیت و پیشرفت، تهران، ایران

² دانشجوی دکتری علوم سیاسی ، گروه علوم سیاسی، دانشگاه شیراز، شیراز، ایران

Abstract Persian

روابط ایران و کشورهای اروپایی به سده‌ها پیش بازمی‌گردد و بر پایه تاریخ طولانی تعاملات، منافع متقابل و تغییرات در بافت ژئوپلیتیکی شکل گرفته است. با توجه به این پیشینه عمیق تاریخی و شرایط راهبردی خاص، هر دو طرف همچنان برای یکدیگر اهمیت حیاتی دارند. چشم‌انداز در حال تحول فرصت‌ها و تهدیدها در روابط تهران و بروکسل باعث شده ایران و اتحادیه اروپا پیوسته روابط دوجانبه خود را بازنگری کنند.
در این چارچوب، ایران و اتحادیه اروپا ظرفیت‌های اقتصادی، سیاسی و امنیتی اروپا را در کنار مسیر کلی روابط دیرینه‌شان در نظر می‌گیرند. یکی از نقاط عطف مهم در این روابط، تغییر راهبردی اتحادیه اروپا از رویکرد هنجاری ــ مبتنی بر ترویج ارزش‌هایی همچون حقوق بشر و دموکراسی ــ به سوی موضعی امنیت‌محور بوده است؛ تغییری که تأثیر چشمگیری بر ماهیت تعاملات ایران و اتحادیه اروپا گذاشته است.
این مقاله به پرسش اصلی می‌پردازد: چرا راهبرد اتحادیه اروپا نسبت به ایران بین سال‌های ۱۹۹۳ تا ۲۰۲۴ تغییر کرده است؟ برای پاسخ، پژوهش از رویکردی جامع بهره می‌گیرد و چارچوب‌های نظری نئورئالیسم و سازه‌انگاری را به‌کار می‌برد. استدلال مقاله این است که اگرچه اتحادیه اروپا تاریخی طولانی در جایگاه یک قدرت هنجاری داشته و اقدامات خارجی خود را بر ارزش‌های مشترک اروپایی بنا کرده است، فشارهای بیرونی ــ از جمله بحران مالی ۲۰۰۸، جریان‌های مهاجرتی و رشد پوپولیسم راست‌گرا ــ به‌تدریج این اتحادیه را به سوی اولویت‌دادن به ملاحظات امنیتی سوق داده است.
این پژوهش با رویکردی کیفی به تحلیل این تغییر پرداخته و نشان می‌دهد چگونه عوامل ساختاری و هویتی در شکل‌گیری رویکرد در حال تحول اتحادیه اروپا نسبت به ایران نقش داشته‌اند.

Keywords Persian

نئورئالیسم

سازه‌انگاری

ایران

اتحادیه اروپا

قدرت هنجاری

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