Understanding and Influencing Iran

This paper looks at US-Iranian relations and proposes that, in order to effectively influence Iran, the United States government needs to forgo efforts at isolation and instead pursue a strategy of engagement. As we will see, such an approach requires a genuine respect for Persian history and the proud traditions of the region and its people, an adequate appreciation and understanding of the Iranian people and their culture, and substantial knowledge of the workings of the Iranian governmental system. Additionally, the United States will need to be shrewd in the selection of methods by which it seeks to engage Iran and exert influence.