ABSTRACT
Focusing on US–Iran relations, this chapter details the effects of Washington’s shift between two strategic positions: containing Iran through multibalancing and pushing for regime change. In response, Tehran has also played a delicate balancing game of its own. Externally, it has formed a loose coalition of resisting state and non-state actors to balance against the United States. Internally, it has played a delicate balancing act to keep its opposition at bay without provoking them into rebellion. The security rationality of Iran, the chapter concludes, is informed by, and a predictable response to, the US-led regime of multibalancing and regime change. As such, Iran’s security rationality does not fundamentally differ from other regimes in the greater Middle East.
