Visiting Professor, Pennsylvania University, Faculty of Law and Faculty member of Law and Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Science and Research Branch
Abstract
Although human rights could not have caused or gap or linkage between two international actors until recently, Western countries now argue that it can transform the nature of the relationship among international actors. The European Union sometimes uses the Human Rights Clause in economic and commercial relations with others. This article tests the proposition that due to high costs and low capability in benefiting from hard power, the EU attempts to increase its influence with Iran and Middle Eastern countries by applying soft power. The EU, therefore, has used the issue of human rights to increase its influence in the Middle East and Iran. The gaps and linkages between Iran Europe and the Middle East are rooted in European ambiguity in ideology and national interests considering this paradox, the author attempts to address practical strategies for Iran when confronting EU guidelines.