Requirements for the Formation of a Strong Region in the Persian Gulf Subordinate System

Authors
International Relations, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study examines the requirements and necessities for the formation of a strong region within the Persian Gulf subsystem. Here, a "strong region" refers to the implementation of a collective security regime and a shift in the prevailing behavioral patterns within the Persian Gulf subsystem. The low degree of autonomy and the presence of negative security interdependence—stemming from deep cognitive dissonances among regional actors—have thus far hindered the emergence of a consensus-based structure and, more broadly, a strong region within the Persian Gulf subsystem. Against this backdrop, the central question of the article is: How can the states of the Persian Gulf region overcome cognitive and identity divides to establish the necessary conditions for forming a strong and stable region? The hypothesis of the article posits: By engaging in informal confidence-building processes aimed at reducing identity and cognitive conflicts, as well as strategic confidence-building measures, the Persian Gulf countries can lay the groundwork for establishing a strong region. The findings indicate that the transition to a strong region in the Persian Gulf is achievable through gradual confidence-building, transformation in theoretical and institutional foundations, and the reduction of identity-based conflicts. As a result, realizing a strong region requires endogenous security, participatory cooperation, and a shift from external dependency to regional interconnectivity. The research methodology is explanatory-prescriptive, and its scope encompasses the Persian Gulf region.

Keywords

Subjects


• Abedini, Abdollah; Mellat, M.Reza and Ahsan Nezhad Masoud, (2020), Iran’s Obligations through Access Regime in the Safeguard Agreement, Additional Protocol, and JCPOA: a Comparative Approach, Journal of Comprative Law,vol. 6, no.2, DOI; 10.22096/law.2019.70841.1140 [in persian]
• Ahmad Sheikhk, Younis,(2023), The Confidence Building Measures Between India and Pakistan. Journal of Islamic and World Politics, vol. 7, no.1, DOI:10.18196/jiwp.v7i1.46
• Barzegar, Keyhan,(2019), Iran's Foreign Policy Strategy for Regional Balance of Power. Strategic Studies Quarterly. 2019; 21(4); DOI; 20.1001.1.17350727.1397.21.82.7.0[in persian]
• Buzan, Buzan; Wæver, Ole and Wilde, Jaap .(2015). Security: A New FrameWork for Analysis, [in persian], Ali Reza Tayyeb,Tehran: Research Institute of Strategic Studies.
• Dehghani FiroozAbadi, S. Jalal.(2014). Regional Integeration and international Regimes Theories, [inpersian], Tehran: Mokhatab Press.
• Ekhtiari Amiri, Reza,(2015),The Role of Conflicting Identities in the Failure to Form a Security Community in the Persian Gulf Region, Persian Gulf Cultural and Political Studies Quarterly, vol.32, no.3, [inpersian]
• Elahi, Homayoun and Postinchi, Zohreh,(2008), The Framework of the Cooperative Security in the Persian Gulf. Politics Quarterly, vol.38, no. 4, [inpersian]
• Fatemi Nasab, Ali; Hafeznia, M.Reza and Rabiei, Housein and Kamali, M.Reza,(2022), Geopolitical factors Affecting the Convergence of Collective Security in the Persian Gulf Region, Quarterly Schoolar Science Journal of Strategic Deffense Studies, vol.19, no.86,DOI; 20.1001.1.20084897.1400.19.86.1.8,[in Persian]
• Finaud, Marc and Peczeli, Anna,(2013), Modest Confidence and Security- Building Measure for the Middle East: No-First Use Declarations, Trancparency Measures and Communication Structures.Academic Peace Orchestra Middle East, vol. 20, available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270585764_Modest_Confidence-and_Security building_Measures_for_the_Middle_East_Nofirst_Use_Declarations_Transparency_Measures_and_Com.
• Gasemi, Farhad.(2013).International Relatons Theories; Theoretical Foundations of Order and International Regimes, [inpersian], Tehran: Mizan Press.
• Ghalibaf, M. Bagher ; Yaghubi, S. Mohammad and Mahmudi, Abolghasem,(2014), The Geopolitical Explanation of Iran’s Foreign Policy in Persian Gulf Region Regarding Fossil Energies. International Quarterly of Geopolitics,vol. 10, no.3, DOI; 20.1001.1.17354331.1393.10.35.3.3[in persian]
• Golkarami, Abed and Hosseini, S. Mohammad, (2023), Strategic Survey of Hormuz Peace Endeavour: Challenges and Requirements. Journal of Family International Law,vol. 13, no.4. DOI: 10.22034/JML.2023.704682
• Kamrava, Mehran, (2025), Structure, Agency and Persian Gulf Security:Continuity amid Change, Comparative Strategy, vol.44, no.1, Doi doi.org/10.1080/01495933.2024.2445493
• Heiran-nia Javad.(2024). Iran and the Security Order in the Persian Gulf, 1st Edition, Britain: Routledge.
• Herbert, Sian,(2014), Lessons from Confidence-Building Measures. GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report, available at: https://gsdrc.org/publications/lessons-from-confidence-building-measures.
• Hettne, Bjorn, (2005), Beyond the New Regionalism, New Political Economy, Vol. 10, No. 4, https://doi.org/10.1080/13563460500344484.
• Hettne, Bjorn and Soderbaum,Fredrik, (2000), Theorising the Rise of Regionnes,New Political Economy, Vol 5,No. 3, https://doi.org/10.1080/713687778.
• Jalaie, Mohammad; Rezapour, Danial and Azin, Sedigheh,(2023), New players in Persian Gulf security arrangements with a view to Türkiye's strategic policies. Afaq Security Quarterly, vol.16, no.60, DOI; 20.1001.1.25381857.1402.16.60.6.0,[in Persian]
• Jafari, Ali; Sohrabi, Mohammad and Shahmohammadi, Mohammad, (2023), Security in the Persian Gulf based on the strategies of I.R.Iran ,The role of strategic culture approach and regional common security, Quarterly Journal of Appllied and Fundamental Studies of the Islamic World, Vol.5, no.16, Doi 10.22034/FASIW.2023.368856.1218[in persian]
• Mousavi, S. Housein,(2007), Regional Security and Confidence- Building Regime. Journal of Law and Politics, vol. 7, no.3, [inpersian]
• Mason, Simon and Siegfried, Matthias,(2013), Confidence Building Measures in Peace Processes”, Managing Peace Processes, A handbook for AU Practitioners.vol.1, available at: https://peacemediation.ch/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/AU-Handbook_Confidence-Building-Measures-in-Peace-Processes.pdfPapayoanou, Paul.(2016). Great Power and Regional Orders; Possibilities and perspectives the post -Cold War. In: David A. Lake and Patrick Morgan, Regional Orders, Building Security in a New World.DehghaniFiroozAbadi, [in persian],Tehran: Research Institute of Strategic Studies.
• Pezeshkian, Masoud, (2024), My Message to the New World, Tehran Times, Available at: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/501077/My-message-to-the-new-world.[inpersian]
• Rosecrance, Richard and Scott, Paul.(2016). Concerts and Regional Intervention, In: David A. Lake and Patrick Morgan.Regional Orders.Building Security in a New World, DehghaniFiroozAbadi, [in persian], Tehran: Research Institute of Strategic Studies.
• Roshan Islam, Sirat,(2024), Understanding and Sustaining Confidence Building Measures in Conflict, BIPPS Towards a secure World, Six CICA Summit, available at: https://bipss.org.bd/pdf/Sirat_August.pdf
• Ulrichsen, Kristian. (2017). The changing security dynamics of the persian gulf, Oxford University Press, doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190877385.001.0001
• Zarif, M. Javad,(2017), In West Asia, We have a lack of Dialogue/ The Strong Regional Idea is Rooted in Iran's Strategic View. 2017: Available at: https://www.isna.ir/news/96122915683/ [in persian]