Iran's post-revolution security architecture and doctrinal transformations

This study analyzes within which dynamics and processes critical junctures, such as regime changes and ideological transformations, reshape the security doctrines of states. In this context, it focuses on the question of how the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution serves as an example in ideological, institutional, and strategic dimensions. Therefore, the study adopts a qualitative approach, conducting a historical document analysis based on secondary sources. While Western-oriented security policies and a modernization-focused military strategy were pursued during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, the post-revolution period witnessed the dominance of an ideologically driven security approach. The findings indicate that the transformation of Iran's security policies is directly linked to the ideological axis of the revolution. The post-Islamic Revolution security doctrine is characterized by a defense strategy shaped by anti-imperialist discourse, the policy of exporting the revolution, and the interests of the Shi'a world. In this context, Iran seeks to enhance its regional influence through proxy forces and to balance the limitations of its conventional military capacity through asymmetric warfare strategies. This analysis provides a significant framework for understanding Iran's future security strategies.