Shi'a principles and Iran's strategic culture towards ballistic missile deployment

Abstract Iran's January 2020 missile attacks on US military bases in Iraq following the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qasem Soleimani correspond to a stark change approach. Iran has namely abstained from using its ballistic program (BMP), which was only used twice after 1980–88 Iran–Iraq War: 2017 and 2018, both instances retaliation against ISIS attacks. The article explores employment BMP strategic culture perspective while paying special attention principles Shi'a Islam, form particular discursive habitat actions are framed rationalized. approach is thus inseparable qisas (retaliation), obeying overarching principle maslahat; but also characterized by varying importance zarare aghall, ezterar nafye sabil. We conclude that focusing religious can contribute our understanding cultural change, what concerns possible orientation, range limits.