The Iranian government, often quick to employ nationalist and sectarian bluster to arouse support among its people, has run into a similar problem as the Russian Federation to their north; sanctions are absolutely wreaking havoc upon their fragile economies. For the Iranian government, this is an intolerable situation, as they are already in a precarious standing with their people, as was recently shown with massive demonstrations across the country. The Iranian government would certainly like to avoid any further demonstrations, as it was Pahlavi’s response to riots in the late 70’s which brought about the end to his régime. They are also certainly aware that one of United States President’s Donald Trump’s top aides, John Bolton, has in the past advocated Iranian régime change and is likely still of the same way of thought, promising a group of Iranian exiles in 2017 that they would, before 2019, “celebrate in Tehran.” While this threat has not come to pass as of yet, there remains a lingering threat of foreign intervention if the situation deteriorates too seriously.
Iran thus wants to integrate itself into the global economy, and the recent move to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), thereby connecting Iran to India and Europe via railroad network, is a great example of that mindset in action. Iran is also, in its own way, seeking to integrate itself in the Middle East, by interventions across the Middle East. By waging the current Iranian-Saudi Cold War across the Middle East, the Iranians are seeking to control a greater swath of the global oil supply. China and Russia are not opposed to this move as it would shift Middle Eastern hegemony away from the United States and its strategic partners in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
It is in all a way for Iran to lessen the blow of further sanctions from America and the EU. But as America estranges its allies in Europe, the potency of America’s ire may decrease. Time will tell if America can continue to influence Iranian policy to the same extent if Europe begins to go its own way.