Arash1991
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I don't see it quite like that, and I think there are good reasons for it, without comparing Iran with the Shah period.Depends on how you define it. Some call Russia a regional power
But I don't think Iran is a regional power, Iran has the potential to be one. I think this potential has been squandered over the years.
It reminds me of Turkey, Turkey had INCREDIBLE potential but every ruler that came after Atatürk have squandered it.
So we're similiar in that regard, But iran has been mismanaged even worse. The hostage crisis and the fallout of it basically ruined the country. The country is facing a number of economical and sociological problems that needs addressing. Basically only thing that went well is the nuclear program and the missile program and those aren't sufficient to be a prosperous country.
First of all to the points in which I agree with you:
Iran has a domestic problem: corruption, mismanagement and social problems have weakened Iran from the inside. The sanctions also contribute their part.
Unfortunately, parts of society have lost confidence in the leadership, which is one of the most negative points. The challenges of global warming and water scarcity are certainly also an issue.
On the other hand, Iran is a regional power in terms of foreign policy, which cannot be denied. In Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, many power structures have already been cemented, and hardly any decisions are made without Iran. Iran has asymmetrical allies which cannot be eliminated even by military force of superior opponents. See Yemen, Iraq or Lebanon. Then there is the fact that Iran has strategic roads under its control (de facto).
In science and technology, Iran has risen among the great nations. More scientific articles are produced in Iran than in many other industrialized countries in the West. Iran also not only builds missiles and nuclear technology, but generally has a broad strategic industry that makes the country completely self-sufficient. Almost all raw materials and ores are available in Iran and the economy is largely autonomous. For example, the steel industry is very strong and one of the largest in the world, in the field of energy Iran has the second largest natural gas reserves and the fourth largest oil reserves (constantly changing place by place) and recently the second largest lithium reserves. This list could be massively expanded. The number of students and universities in Iran is unprecedented.
Nanotechnology, engineering, etc. are very strong in Iran. I don't want to list all the advantages now, but the potential as you say is huge and is hindered by internal problems and partial sanctions. However, despite all these challenges, Iran has still achieved a very strong position.
Iran is not perceived as economically strong because they may not be a trade hub like the united arab emirates or foreign direct investment like saudi arabia, but iran has an extremely strong domestic economy and also controls its spheres of influence economically and politically very strongly.