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, characterized primarily by escalating great power competition and the ongoing struggle to establish or challenge global hegemony, maintaining national independence and achieving sustainable development have become strategic priorities for autonomous nations. In this challenging context, the Islamic Republic of Iran has responded not with a passive approach, but by formulating an indigenous and unique strategy encapsulated in a comprehensive soft power of resistance doctrine. This article adopts an analytical-interpretive approach, focusing deeply on the thought of the Supreme Leader, to explore and analyze the foundational triad of religion, knowledge, and unity. These components are explained as multidimensional and fundamental strategic shields against the systematic, all-encompassing pressures of the global domination system. From this perspective, the research details how this triad functions within the Supreme Leader’s comprehensive and dynamic theory of strategic resistance. This theory views global hegemony as the manifestation of a false and unjust order whose ultimate goal is to deprive independent nations of their will and to enforce cultural transformation. In contrast to this pervasive hegemony, the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity acts as fundamental elements, active agents, and dynamic deterrents against political, economic, military, and cultural pressures from the forces of arrogance.
Methods: This article was conducted using qualitative content analysis, grounded in the statements and written works of the Supreme Leader. The theoretical roots of this triad are explored through a layered and in-depth analysis that moves beyond superficial examination. This exploration covers the ontological (including the opposition between right and wrong, and the manifestation of divine and human will), the anthropological-sociological (emphasizing the inherent dignity of the nation, the capabilities of the collective will of the Islamic nation, and the vital role of leadership), and the epistemological (knowledge as the true source of authority and wealth, the necessity of strategic rationality, and deep insight into international equations) foundations of his thought. This multi-level approach enables us to precisely explain the role of each component within the theoretical framework of the Islamic Republic’s active resistance.
Results and discussion: The research findings indicate that religion, by strengthening deep faith and spirituality while preserving the authentic Islamic-Iranian identity, functions as a cultural bastion. Knowledge, through the comprehensive development of scientific and technological self-sufficiency, enables the nation to reach new frontiers of advanced technologies and expertise. Unity, in turn, strengthens social resilience by forging unparalleled national cohesion and fostering effective synergy with independent nations and states on the front of resistance. This complex, systemic synergy, framed by the theory of strategic resistance, significantly enhances the strategic resilience of the Islamic Republic of Iran against foreign influence and domination. Furthermore, it propels the country toward 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 assimilative or attractive tool, the theory of strategic resistance posits it as a dynamic, comprehensive, and civilization-building doctrine. This theory emphasizes active deterrence based on the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity, introducing resistance as a progressive movement toward achieving the long-term goals of independence, sustainable development, and the formation of a new world order. By using qualitative content analysis, this study comprehensively examines the triad of religion, knowledge, and unity as impenetrable and dynamic strategic shields against the pressures of the global hegemony system. This detailed analysis contributes to a more accurate understanding of the new dynamics of power and enriches the scholarly literature in the fields of international relations theories, strategic studies, soft power, and modern Islamic civilization-building.