Europeiska unionens sanktions- och diplomatiska politik gentemot Iran 2014-2015 samt 2022-2023 : En kvalitativ fallstudie av institutionell variation mellan Ministerrådet och Europaparlamentet

Sammanfattning

This study examines how the European Union ́s (EU) sanctions and diplomatic policy towards Iran is formulated across different institutional arenas within the EU. Through a qualitative content analysis of official documents from the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, the study analyzes how EU policy is articulated during two critical periods: the negotiations surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2014-2015, and the period marked by widespread protests in Iran and Iran's military support for Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022-2023. The theoretical framework combines Multi-Level Governance with institutional logics in order to explain both the distribution of power within the EU and how institutional roles, norms, and priorities shape political argumentation. The analysis shows that EU foreign policy towards Iran is characterized by clear institutional variation rather than a uniform policy formulation. The Council of the European Union primarily emphasizes strategic arguments related to security, regional stability, and geopolitical interests, reflecting its intergovernmental character and the influence of member states. In contrast, the European Parliament places greater emphasis on normative arguments concerning human rights, democracy, and women's rights, consistent with its role as a directly elected representative institution. The study also identifies a temporal shift between the two periods. During 2014-2015, both institutions focused more strongly on diplomacy, negotiations, and cooperation in relation to the JCPOA process. By 2022-2023, the discourse had become increasingly confrontational, characterized by stronger criticism of Iran and a greater emphasis on sanctions and security concerns. The study concludes that EU policy towards Iran is shaped by competing strategic and normative priorities that vary across institutional contexts and political circumstances.