Iranian Research letter of International Politics

A Comparative Approach to American Containment Policy on Iran in Trump and Biden Era

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

jamshid kholghi 1
Amir Jorfi 2
Ghafar zarei 3
alireza samiee esfahani 4

1 PhD student of Political Science, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University of Shiraz, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University of Shiraz, Iran. (Corresponding Author Email: Amirjorfi@gmail.com)

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Lamerd Branch, Islamic Azad University of Lamerd, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

10.22067/irlip.2026.80858.1364
Abstract
Obama era was full of ambiguity for the U.S allies and partners. That ambiguity was culminated by signature of JCPOA. When Trump came on power and changing of America approach to JCPOA, ultimately America withdrew from nuclear deal and new process was begun on cooperation among America and its allies and partners. Also Biden that declared to return to JCOPA, has continued Trump’s procedure. The main question is that: what approach has American Middle Eastern policy continued in Trump and Biden presidency? And hypothesis is that: In contrast to the Obama era, the American Middle East policy in the era of Trump and Biden, instead of delegating responsibility to regional allies and partners, has sought direct intervention to establish the balance of power and contain Iran. Research findings has shown despite Biden’s position based on return to JCPOA and negotiating with Iran his policy is continuing of the process that was started in Trump’s era. Containing previous pressures against Iran through non suspension sanctions and increasing pressures as imposing new sanctions and forming coalition all of them is shown to continue of the establish balance of power policy by direct intervention against Iranian hegemonic behavior. Research method is analytical-descriptive method and collect data and information library method has been used.

Keywords

United States of America
Iran
Middle East
Trump/Biden offshore Balancing
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Iranian Research letter of International Politics
Volume 14, Issue 2 - Serial Number 28
September 2026
Pages 215-238

  • Receive Date 30 January 2023
  • Revise Date 23 April 2023
  • Accept Date 01 May 2023

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