DIGITAL DIPLOMACY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THROUGH TWITTER ON THE NUCLEAR ISSUE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT HASSAN ROUHANI (2013-2015)

Abstract

As Hassan Rouhani was elected as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2013, Iran adopted a moderate approach in negotiating with the P5+1 on the nuclear issue and it can be seen in the adoption of digital diplomacy under the administration of President Hassan Rouhani. This research study aims to analyze the implementation of digital diplomacy through Twitter as an alternative tool for the administration of President Hassan Rouhani in the nuclear negotiation. Hence, this study uses framework of internal and external environments and digital diplomacy that focused on digital agenda-setting and digital conversation-generating by Bjola & Jiang. This research study finds several main findings which include, first, the domestic and international factors were influencing the attitude change of Iran in dealing with the nuclear dispute. Second, Iran government used Twitter in presenting state identity that is different from the previous administrations. Last, the position shift of Iran received different reactions from its counterparts mainly supports from P5+1, while, Gulf countries, and Israel still showed their doubt regarding the intention of Iran in developing the nuclear program.