The Islamic Republic of Iran poses a significant threat to stability in the Middle East. Iran's nuclear program, inflammatory rhetoric, and support to militias challenge peace efforts throughout the region. America now seeks normalized relations with Iran in order to steer the Islamic Regime towards cooperative behaviors. Upon taking office in 2008, President Barack Obama opened the door for direct engagement between Washington and Tehran. So far, rapprochement efforts are hindered by one-sided agendas and each nation's domestic politics. It is still to be determined if the Obama Administration will enhance diplomatic tactics with Iran. Throughout the Middle East and particularly in Iran, Islam has pervaded state politics. In Iran, supreme authority rests with an Islamic cleric and the state clergy control many of the governing institutions. The findings of this study suggest that faith-based diplomacy with Iran's clerical establishment could invigorate rapprochement efforts. Faith-based diplomacy draws from the peacemaking tenets within all religious traditions to evoke respectful relationships, mutual understanding, and tolerance which are often under-developed during traditional diplomacy. It is the superior way to socialize diplomats with more cooperative strategic mind-sets and a divine authority's inspiration to reconcile differences.

ADA 547338 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)