lranian perceptions on security in the persian gulf

for the past quarter of a century iran has advocated the setting up of a security regime in the persian gulf by littoral states that excludes foreign powers. this paper examines the reasons behind iran's opposition to foreign participation in persian gulf security arrangements; the steps iran has taken to gain the support of other littoral states for its scheme, and the prospects for iran's success in achieving its desired security arrangements. i argue that regime ideology and a desire to dominate the persian gulf are the main factors explaining iranian opposition to a role for foreigners in the security arrangements in the persian gulf. further, this paper contends that given the opposition of other persian gulf states to iranian views the chances of iran's success are practically naught. the only thing that the pursuit of these views has resulted in is the exclusion of iran from the us-sponsored security arrangements in the persian gulf.