Öz
The identity perspective that Iran had with the 1979 revolution re-determined the direction of its foreign policy, and it was observed that the approach to some issues was carefully preserved, although some flexibility was achieved in terms of foreign policy over time. It is difficult to explain such persistent policies, which are carried out at the expense of various costs, if it is assumed that foreign policy is shaped only by the focus of physical security and material interests, as predicted by traditional approaches. In this study, which analyzes the role of ontological security in the course of Iranian foreign policy, is aimed to evaluate whether, as well as physical security and interests, ontological security concerns are determinative in terms of its foreign policy actions. In this study, it is assumed that there are ontological security concerns behind some of the ongoing issues that are firmly adopted in Iran's foreign policy. This study, which is handled within the framework of the Ontological Security Theory (OST), has been carried out with a focus on Iran's approach to the Palestinian issue. It has been concluded that the approach to the Palestinian issue corresponds to an 'ontological security-providing routine' for Iran, which has self-narratives such as anti-hegemony, the leadership of the oppressed people, and seeking justice against persecution. When analyzed in the context of ontological security, it is possible to say that Iran's aim of preserving its self-image and maintaining its self-narratives has formed a strong resistance effort regarding this issue, and concerns about this have created an ontological resistance that shapes actions.