The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the resultant overwhelming Western military presence in the region prompted the Islamic Republic of Iran to reassess its defence policies and adopt a strategy of an asymmetric nature. In this talk, Farzin Nadimi will examine the choices that the Islamic Republic has made so far in restructuring its security organization as well as defence industries. Another important and influential factor is the emerging energy security trends in both the Persian Gulf and the Caspian basin. Addressing this trend, Nadimi will also look at the historical patterns of Iran's role in regional security, Iran's perception of challenges to its energy security, which is moving it toward assuming a blue-water naval role, and the possible effects of the 'Arab Spring' in Iran's evolving concept of security.