If you want to understand why Iran does what it does, you have to look past the last forty seven years and look at the last 150. You’ll see a pattern of responding to foreign intervention that has essentially hardwired their strategic brain.
What have been the geopolitics of Iran over the past 150 years







Iran's landscape is defined by massive mountain ranges that create a defensive perimeter around the country. The Zagros Mountains sit to the west while the Alborz Mountains are located to the north, surrounding a large central desert. This unique layout makes the Iranian plateau look like a natural fortress designed for defense and isolation, though leaders throughout history have found that staying isolated is rarely enough for long-term survival.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important pieces of real estate in the world because it serves as a critical choke point for global trade. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through this narrow waterway. Regardless of the leadership in Tehran, the geographical inheritance of the Strait remains a vital tool for projecting influence and managing international energy security.
While the plateau offers natural protection, Iranian leadership from the Safavids to the current government has realized that hunkering down is insufficient. To survive and protect the plateau, Iran must project its influence outward rather than remaining a target. This strategy turns the country into a regional hub, using its geographical position to reach out and secure its interests beyond its mountainous borders.
Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
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