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No. 292 | May 202523eral summit between Iran, Russia, and Turkey, and the visit to Qatar, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across security, economic, political, and cultural spheres (Saraswat, 2024). Nevertheless, at the time, experts and public observers noted a lack of a coherent economic diplomacy strategy, suggesting shortcomings in the media apparatus of the Raisi administration. Despite these criticisms, one strategic success was the administration%u2019s decision to decouple the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations from domestic economic well-being, avoiding the economic vulnerabilities associated with previous administrations.Another significant aspect of Raisi%u2019s foreign policy was the expansion of relations with Africa and Latin America. In foreign relations, a comprehensive understanding of national capabilities and external environments is crucial (Mearsheimer, 2001). Raisi emphasized the necessity of understanding regional dynamics, recognizing opportunities and vulnerabilities, and leveraging them. Africa, particularly post-Cold War, has emerged as a region with unique economic, cultural, and geographical significance. South Africa, among others, became a strategic focal point for Raisi%u2019s administration.China%u2019s strategic engagement with Africa since the early 2000s serves as a relevant comparison. Beijing%u2019s participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) enabled the rapid expansion of trade with Africa, surpassing $200 billion by 2019, and China becoming Africa%u2019s largest trading partner (Alden, 2007; Oritsejafor & Cooper, 2021). Chinese President Xi Jinping announced $60 billion in investments into African economies during the 2015 and 2018 FOCAC summits (FOCAC, 2018). In contrast, Iran%u2019s engagement remained limited, with only a single joint chamber of commerce established in Africa. Nevertheless, Raisi viewed the expansion into African markets as a realistic and necessary long-term strategy.Regarding Latin America, Raisi regarded Iran%u2019s position as comparatively more developed. Historical data shows that trade between Iran and Latin America increased from $900 million in 2000 to nearly $4 billion by 2013, although it later declined during the eleventh and twelfth administrations. Under Raisi, attention to the region was revitalized, recognizing Latin America%u2019s considerable strategic value. The region possesses approximately 30% of the world%u2019s freshwater resources, 25% of global forested and arable land, and major mineral reserves, holding 65% of global lithium, 42% of silver, and significant shares of copper and iron (World Bank, 2021).Moreover, Raisi identified shared geopolitical challenges with certain Latin American nations, particularly Venezuela, due to mutual experiences with U.S. sanctions. Iran also had historical relations with countries such as Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador, notably in sectors like petrochemicals and infrastructure development during the Ahmadinejad administration %u00d6zkan, 2017). Raisi%u2019s foreign policy aimed to rejuvenate and enhance these strategic partnerships with renewed vigor.Finally, Iran%u2019s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization under Raisi further reflected the administration%u2019s eastward-oriented foreign policy. Membership in the SCO was a strategic move to strengthen Iran%u2019s ties with major regional powers such as Russia, China, and India. It is evident that even after Raisi%u2019s martyrdom and the official end of his administration, Iran%u2019s SCO membership holds the potential to significantly impact its international standing and foreign relations.References%u2022 Alden, C. (2007). China in Africa. Zed Books.%u2022 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (2018). Beijing Declaration and Action Plan. Retrieved from [focac.org]%u2022 Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. W. W. Norton & Company.%u2022Oritsejafor, E. O., & Cooper, A. D. (Eds.). (2021). Africa and the global system of capital accumulation. Routledge.%u2022 %u00d6zkan, M. (2017). Iranian Foreign Policy Toward Latin America. Center for Iranian Studies in Ankara.%u2022 Saraswat, D. (2024). Iran%u2019s Look East Policy Under Ebrahim Raisi: Tracing the Rise of a Middle Power. Strategic Analysis, 48(3), 211-228.%u2022 World Bank. (2021). World Development Indicators. Retrieved from [worldbank.org]