Regaining Space: Iranian Foreign Policy Toward Latin America During the First Presidential Term of Hassan Rouhani (2013–2017)

Abstract

Iran’s relations with Latin America, particularly with the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), gained notable dynamism during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. One of the most representative examples of these relations was the anti-imperialist ideology advocated by Ahmadinejad alongside left-wing leaders such as Hugo Chávez which generated hemispheric tension with the United States precisely at a time when Iran was driving a nuclear energy program that was questioned by certain Western countries. Relations between Iran and the region achieved significant progress, but failed to fulfill Tehran’s expectations. Hassan Rouhani’s accession to presidency raised many questions regarding the potential for change or the continuity of relations with Latin America, given his proposal for a new type of relationship with the world. Indeed, a number of changes that took place during his first presidential term can be identified. This chapter analyzes these changes and describes the manner in which Iran has moved away from an anti-imperialist rhetoric to give way to a pragmatic, less belligerent foreign policy that focuses on broadening trade relations with governments that uphold different ideologies. This, in turn, has enabled Iran to recover opportunities and rebuild relations with influential regional actors such as Brazil.