Realism, idealism or opportunism? Iran's reason of state in foreign policy towards Russia.

The paper seeks to indicate the main sources and currents that mold the general pattern of Iran's foreign policy and propose the explanation of Iran's actions in regard to Russia. The paper shortly analyze, political dualities like pragmatism vs. idealism, decision making through the institutions of the revolution vs. parliamentary democracy, Iran's desire for recognition as a regional power vs. forward defensive approach and last but not least an accurate terminology to use in a broader debate about Iranian policy. The paper secondary aim is to provide a general picture of Iranian policy toward Russia and to put some light on complexity of Iran-Russia relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]