سجاد شریف عسگری

This research examines how Eastern European countries balance NATO commitments and independent policies in response to the Gaza crisis, with special attention to Iran's role in this equation. The findings of this study show reveal that Eastern European countries, despite structural limitations, maintain significant autonomy in their foreign policy. These countries have shown diverse responses to the Gaza crisis, reflecting a combination of security considerations, economic interests, domestic political constraints, and historical and cultural influences. Iran's role as a key regional actor in the Middle East represents an important variable in the foreign policy calculations of these countries. Comparative analysis of official positions and diplomatic actions reveals a significant gap between discourse and practice. The pattern of Eastern European countries' responses to Gaza crises provides a deeper understanding of foreign policy dynamics in the region and offers a framework for future analyses that incorporate the "Iran factor" in Eastern European foreign policy calculations.