IFK Kontext 04e/2026
Lines of Power: Iran's Borders and Border Policy
Dokumenttyp:
Informationen zur SicherheitspolitikErscheinungsdatum:
Jänner 2026Herausgeber:
Republik Österreich BMLVBeiträge in dieser Publikation:
| Name | Seiten/Dateigröße | |
|---|---|---|
| Lines of Power: Iran′s Borders and Border Policy | 28 Seiten / 2.07 MB |
  |
| Map of Iran’s most important border crossing points (Din A3) | 2 Seiten / 7.64 MB |
|
Vorwort
Debates on territorial sovereignty and border policy tend to focus on Western nation states, with non-Western contexts largely ignored. Iran represents a unique case study in this context: the country shares land and sea borders with fifteen states; the total length of its borders is around 9,000 kilometres, of which around 6,000 kilometres are land and river borders. This geographical location makes Iran a hub for diverse regional and geopolitical processes - and at the same time a hotspot for security-political challenges. Irans border regions, which are home to diverse ethnic groups, offer insight into the relationship between state, society and territory. They illustrate how border protection, national security and ethnic identity are linked in a complex manner. This publication analyses the development, structure, and political significance of Iranian border policy in the context of security, sovereignty, and social diversity. It invites readers to rethink Irans borders not only as lines of separation, but also as spaces for social and political interaction.