Dr. Fatemeh Shayan is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Isfahan (UI), Iran. She is the only winner of the 2019 Farabi International Award in the field of political science and a distinguished researcher at the University of Isfahan in 2019 and 2023. She was also selected as a celebrated researcher at UI in December 2022. Earlier, she was a post-doctoral scholar at Tampere University (TUNI), Finland. She completed her doctoral studies in the Faculty of Management at TUNI, and defended her dissertation in December 2014. She has published many academic publications in international ISI journals such as Energy Strategy Review, Critical Studies on Terrorism, Millennium: Journal of International Studies and Geopolitics. She was also a researcher at UTA between 2013 and 2014. Her latest books, Security in the Persian Gulf Region, were published by Palgrave Macmillan in London in 2017; and Gas Troika on the European Gas Market (Vol. I and II) by Walter De Gruyter in Boston in 2023 and 2026. She was a visiting scholar at University of Exeter, UK; University of Oslo, Norway; Plekhanov and Lomonosov Universities, Moscow; and FINEC University, Russia. Her research areas include energy policies, natural gas, European Union energy issues, Russia, Iran and Qatar’s energy issues, as well as the Persian Gulf security complex. She can be contacted at f.shayan@ase.ui.ac.ir.
My research areas include energy policies, natural gas, European Union energy issues, Russia, Iran and Qatar energy issues, and Persian Gulf security complex.
My research areas include energy policies, natural gas, European Union energy issues, Russia, Iran and Qatar energy issues, and Persian Gulf security complex.
Research Output
Articles
Publication Date: 2025
Engineering Geology (00137952)358
Most mountainous long tunnels encounter fault zones where phenomena such as uncontrolled water inflow, excessive ground convergence, rock mass failure and tunnel collapse, face instability, and rock block release are common. In mechanized tunneling projects, these hazards threaten TBM performance, especially at great depths and high groundwater pressure. Despite advances in passing through difficult geology, TBMs are still trapped in fault zones, causing delays in machine advance. This paper draws on experiences from mechanized tunneling projects in Iran, focusing on the challenges encountered while tunneling through fault zones. By considering key influencing factors (including fault characteristics, lithology, overburden, groundwater pressure, rock mass quality, tunnel diameter, and the machine type) and utilizing the Rock Engineering System (RES), it presents a comprehensive classification framework for rating geological hazards in these zones. The proposed classification system categorizes fault zones into five classes—Non-Problematic, Slightly Problematic, Problematic, Very Problematic, and Extremely Problematic/Critical—reflecting tunneling challenges during construction. This classification offers a framework to pre-evaluate potential hazardous events in fault zones, select suitable machinery and construction methods, and predict the performance of machines in these zones. The accuracy of the classification has been validated by information gathered from construction phase reports and through direct observation and study of fault zones encountered in major Iranian mechanized tunneling projects. The results show that the proposed classification effectively identifies critical conditions. The correlation between documented events and calculated geological hazards indices supports the predictive capability of this classification. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Publication Date: 2024
Energy Strategy Reviews (2211467X)51
The energy market integration in the Middle East is assessed by comparing the acting institutions in the Levant and Persian Gulf sub-regions. Pami Aalto's regional institution's theoretical framework and the case-oriented comparative research method are adopted for this purpose. Changes in the Levant region coincided with the Arab League's establishment. This league did not develop due to inappropriate bi-lateral energy relationships and a lack of effort among the inter-state trade institutions. Regional institutions, lacking order creation, next to the Arab League members' sovereignty disturb gas transmission, transit, and environmental protection regulations. The Arab League has recognized Israel as an energy-producing member and has reduced the political conflicts' intensity to improve Arabic leadership in the Levant integration. The Persian Gulf states' unilateral trade negotiations, sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Iran's energy sector, and political disputes between Iran and some Arab states prevent coherent regional integration, liberalization, and the launch of joint energy projects. In bi-lateral energy diplomacy competition between the regional great energy powers, Iran and Saudi Arabia outside the region is evident. Though the environmental stewardship institution supports green energy, the profit-interest has priority in these regions. The outcome of this article reveals the existence of constraints imposed on energy market integration in these sub-regions. © 2023 The Author(s)
Publication Date: 2023
Central Eurasia Studies (20080867)15(2)pp. 241-263
Introduction: During recent decades, Iran and Turkmenistan have become reliable neighbours. But when these two countries want to develop their cooperation in the field of energy and export their gas to Europe through Turkey, they face different obstacles and challenges in issues such as bilateral relations, the Turkish energy market and the European Union. The purpose of this research is to examine the situation of Iran and Turkmenistan in the field of energy and the issue of gas transit to Europe through Turkey. Research Question: The main question is, what are the opportunities and challenges of Turkmenistan gas transit from Iran and Turkey to Europe? Research Hypothesis: The hypothesis of this research is based on the positive relations between Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan and the geopolitical position of Iran, the connection with the opportunities and sanctions of the United States on Iran's energy sector, Russia's pressure on Turkmenistan for the exclusive purchase of gas, which is the most important challenge for the transit of gas from Turkmenistan to Europe. Methodology (and theoretical framework if there are): In this paper, the qualitative research method for studying the hypothesis is based on Peter McLaughlin’s functional explanation. The data collection tool is based on library and internet resources. The theoretical framework of this research is based on the regional system proposed by Louis Cantori and Steven Spiegel.By combining this framework with functionalism, it examines the cooperation and competition of governments and analyzes the factors of convergence and divergence in the relations of these countries. Results and Discussion: The analysis of this research shows that Iran and Turkmenistan have expanded their economic relations. The opening of the Mashhad-Sarkhs-Tajan railway lines and the Bafaq-Bandar Abbas railway line is considered as an important economic measure for the development of economic and trade relations between Iran and Turkmenistan. Also, the cooperation of the two countries in technical and engineering projects with numerous investments of Iranian technicians in this field has also been important. Iran and Turkmenistan pursue their economic cooperation within the framework of the Joint Economic Commission. The main export of goods from Iran is related to Turkmenistan, and since 2013, the volume of trade between the two countries has increased, especially with Khorasan Razavi Province.With 5900 industrial units, 46 mineral resources and approximately 800 mines, Khorasan Razavi province has a high rank in the production of products such as saffron, pistachios, pomegranates and medicinal plants and mainly exports these products to Turkmenistan. The implementation of the border-crossing-permit plan between Iran and Turkmenistan has also provided the basis for the movement of nationals of both countries in the border areas. Turkmenistan’s gas reserves are scattered throughout the country. In addition to the huge gas resources and significant production in this country, the discovery of Yultan gas field near Iran's Daulatabad field has put Turkmenistan in the focus of Iran's attention. The desire of Iran and Turkmenistan to cooperate made Turkmenistan agree to the construction of the country's first pipeline in July 1995. The Kerpcheh-Kordkoy pipeline was built in 1997 at a cost of over $200 million to transport gas to northern Iran from the Kerpcheh gas field. With abundant gas resources, Turkmenistan negotiated with Iran to export gas from Iran to Europe via Turkey. Due to its geopolitical position, Turkey has become an energy pole and this has created an opportunity for this country to gain more economic benefits. The European Union (EU) has become heavily dependent on foreign energy resources in recent decades. Due to its geopolitical position, Turkey has become an energy hub that connects the Middle East, Russia and Europe. Many gas pipelines pass through Turkey, transporting gas from Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe. However, some of these pipeline projects have been suspended for some time. Turkey has given the green light to Iran’s presence in the Turkish gas market (to Europe) and the Tabriz–Ankara pipeline operates in this direction. Conclusion: The findings indicate that first, long borders and economic capacities in Turkmenistan are like the gateway for Iran to enter this country and the two countries have cooperated in the field of natural gas transportation projects. Second, Turkmenistan’s rich gas resources and various gas fields led this country to build the first Kerpcheh-Kordkoy gas pipeline with Iran, which met the gas consumption needs of Iran’s northern provinces. Simultaneously with the construction of this pipeline, the issue of Turkmenistan gas transit from Iran to Turkey was raised so that Iran would receive transit rights. With Najmuddin Arbakan coming to power in Turkey in 1997, bilateral relations between Iran and Turkey improved significantly and Turkey's economic growth has led to an increasing need for gas imports. In this regard, Turkey has increased its gas transit pipelines in recent years. Europe's effort to diversify its gas imports from exporting countries and not relying only on Russia has provided the opportunity for Turkey to become the energy hub of the region by importing gas from Iran (and even other countries) and using its geopolitical position to re-export energy and gas to European markets. The improvement of relations between Iran and Turkey and the transit of gas to Europe have strengthened their economic growth, but the US sanctions against Iran and possible obstruction of gas exports by Iran in the case of incresing US pressure, may prevent them from making profits in their bilateral transactions © 2023, Central Eurasia Studies.All Rights Reserved.
