Iran’s National Security from the Perspective of Political Elites: Challenges, Strengths, and Strategies

National security, as a prerequisite for the survival and advancement of any country, plays a fundamental role in preserving values, identity, economic development, and enhancing public trust. Nevertheless, the lack of relative consensus on the definition of national security and the mechanisms for its realization can lead to growing challenges in the path of national development and progress. This article examines how the concept of national security, the challenges it faces, and the strategies for addressing them are understood and explained from the perspective of the political elites of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The main objective of this study is to answer the fundamental question: How is the concept of national security, its major challenges, existing strengths, and strategies for its enhancement understood and interpreted by three distinct groups of Iran’s political elites (executive, academic, and seminary)? To achieve this aim, a qualitative research method—specifically, thematic analysis—was employed. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with selected elites from each group, and the content of these interviews was meticulously analyzed. The findings reveal that the elites studied hold an integrated view of national security, encompassing both objective and subjective dimensions. However, objective factors (such as military and economic threats) received considerably more emphasis in the interviews compared to subjective factors (such as values and identity). Moreover, the majority of interviewees adopted an expanded view of security, asserting that national security goes beyond the preservation of borders and military defense to include economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions. Theoretically, the dominant perspective among the political elites combines elements of the realist school (emphasizing power and national interests), constructivism (emphasizing the role of values and identity), and the Copenhagen School (emphasizing the broadened concept of security). Additionally, the study shows that the political elites identify three main priorities regarding national security: The absence of a coherent and effective doctrine on national security to guide policymaking and action; the country’s unparalleled human capital as its greatest strength for enhancing national security; a focus on political and economic reforms as the primary strategy for addressing security challenges, rather than relying solely on military and security approaches. This study demonstrates that the political elites of the Islamic Republic of Iran view national security as a complex and multidimensional concept requiring a comprehensive and balanced approach. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of political-economic reforms, the utilization of human capital, and the formulation of a coherent national security doctrine. These findings can assist policymakers and decision-makers in developing and implementing more effective and efficient national security policies.