Discussion PaperInternational Relations & Diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Policy After Trump: Challenges and Opportunities

Written by: Fatih Şemsettin Işık

This discussion paper focuses on the potential shape of Iran’s foreign policy in the post-Trump era. With Biden inaugurated, expectations for a new round of US-Iran rapprochement have emerged.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated since Donald Trump came to the White House. The détente that occurred during the Obama term as a result of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement was wiped away when Trump pulled the US out from the agreement in 2018. Trump’s presidency and the “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran have created severe challenges for the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy. With Joe Biden inaugurated as the 46th American President, expectations for a new round of US-Iran rapprochement have emerged. Indicating that there is a “smarter way” to be tough on Iran, Biden has indicated he plans to restart negotiations and restore the JCPOA agreement. Some regional players have also started to reposition themselves.

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Fatih Şemsettin Işık
Fatih Şemsettin Işık
Fatih Şemsettin Işık is a deputy researcher at the TRT World Research Centre and a graduate student at the Department of International Relations in Central European University (CEU). Before that, he worked as a research assistant and social media coordinator at Al Sharq Forum. After completing his undergraduate studies at the Department of Political Science at Bilkent University in 2015, he finished his MA studies at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Istanbul Şehir University in 2019. As a journalist, he contributed to the Daily Sabah newspaper between 2014 and 2016. His research interests include Israeli politics, EU-Middle East Relations, Turkish Politics and the role of diasporas in foreign affairs.

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