EDUCATION AS A SOFT POWER TOOL: IRAN'S APPROACH AS PUBLIC STRATEGY

Researchers have discussed the significance of education as a Soft power tool for decades. These discussions typically focus on higher education and student exchange programs. All countries, even large and medium-sized ones, use education as a soft force to achieve their political goals. Consequently, it is important to use soft power strategically and effectively to maximize its benefits. This study explores Iran's dissemination cultural institutes and schools in the context of education and analyzes Iran's multi-channel education strategy. More particularly, this research shows the ways in which Iran combines sending Iran students to other countries for education, opening institutes in other countries and give scholarships to international students. Descriptive and analytical approaches were used in this research. The aim of this research is to understand Iran soft power in education, the purpose of this research is to understand the importance of education in the world of politics. On this analysis based five main benefits of Iran's approach, this benefits have been identified: 1) An opportunity to try to change the stereotype of Iran and then liberate from trade restrictions; 2) The construction of a favorable image of Iran in the eyes of the governments and public resulting from the provision of jobs and study opportunities; 3) Opportunities to promote Iran culture and language and foster cultural exchanges; 4) Enhancing Iran's religious position; 5) Convinces the world that it is a democratic country despite its private ideological inclinations.