The Triad of Soft Power (Religion, Knowledge, and Unity); The Islamic Republic of Iran in Thought in Thought of Ayatollah Khamenei

Introduction and goals: In the complex and fluid sphere of contemporary international relations, whose main characteristic is the increasing competition of powers and the attempt to establish or challenge global hegemony, maintaining national independence and sustainable development has become a strategic priority for independent countries. In this challenging context, the Islamic Republic of Iran has responded to these requirements not with a passive approach, but by formulating and defining its own indigenous and unique strategies in the form of a comprehensive doctrine of soft power of resistance. This article, by adopting an analytical-interpretive approach and with a deep focus on the thought of the Supreme Leader, explores and analyzes the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity; components that he has explained as multidimensional and fundamental strategic shields against the systematic and all-round pressures of the global domination system. From this perspective, this research explains in detail how this triad functions within the framework of the Supreme Leader’s comprehensive and dynamic theory of strategic resistance. This theory considers global hegemony to be a manifestation of a false and unjust order whose ultimate goal is to deprive independent nations of their will and cultural transformation. In contrast to this pervasive hegemony, the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity act as fundamental elements, active agents, and dynamic deterrents against the political, economic, military, and cultural pressures of arrogance.
Methods: This article was conducted using the qualitative content analysis method, based on the statements and written works of the Supreme Leader. The theoretical roots of this triad are explored in depth and layered, not only at the level of superficial analyses, but also in the ontological (including the opposition between right and wrong, the manifestation of divine and human will), anthropological-sociological (with emphasis on the inherent dignity of the nation, the capabilities of the collective will of the Islamic nation, and the vital role of leadership), and epistemological (knowledge as the true source of authority and wealth, the necessity of strategic rationality, and deep insight in understanding international equations) foundations of his thought. This approach allows us to explain the role of each of these components in the theoretical framework of the active resistance of the Islamic Republic.
Results and discussion: The results of the research show that religion, by strengthening deep faith and spirituality, and preserving the authentic Islamic-Iranian identity, acts as a cultural bastion. Knowledge, by comprehensively developing scientific and technological self-sufficiency, makes it possible to reach new frontiers of advanced knowledge and technologies. Unity also strengthens social resilience by creating unparalleled national cohesion and effective synergy with independent nations and states on the resistance front. This systemic and complex synergy within the framework of the theory of strategic resistance significantly increases the strategic resilience of the Islamic Republic of Iran against foreign influence and domination and propels this country towards playing an active and pioneering role in the formation of a more just and multipolar world order.
Conclusions: Contrary to the common perception of soft power as a purely absorbing tool, the theory of strategic resistance sees it as a dynamic, comprehensive, and civilization-building doctrine. This theory emphasizes active deterrence based on the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity, and introduces resistance as a progressive movement towards achieving the long-term goals of independence, sustainable development, and the formation of a new world order. This study, using qualitative content analysis, examines the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity as impenetrable and dynamic strategic shields against the pressures of the global hegemony system in a detailed and comprehensive manner. This analysis contributes to a more accurate understanding of the new dynamics of power and to the richness of the scientific literature in the field of international relations theories, strategic studies, soft power, and modern Islamic civilization-building.