The European Union as an Actor in Energy Relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT: The final phase of the nuclear negotiations with Iran has coincided with a profound crisis in the EU-Russia relations. Due to the crisis in Ukraine, the uncertainty about European energy security has increased significantly. Against this background, Iran, with its vast natural gas resources, might become a new supplier to the European gas market. Consequently, the relations between the EU and Iran are becoming increasingly important. The main aim of this article is to analyse the relations between the EU and Iran in the energy sector through the concept of actorness.

Keywords: European Union; actorness; Iran; energy; oil; natural gas; Russian Federation