Liberation Theology in Latin America, focusing on social needs and poverty, has become a model for addressing socio-economic issues and can facilitate effective interactions between religious and philosophical streams by linking religion with philosophy and social sciences. Given that Latin America is a strategic depth for the Islamic Republic of Iran, the importance of interaction and cooperation between the two regions has increased, making cultural and religious diplomacy particularly significant. This paper explores how the intellectual capacities of Liberation Theology can be utilized in Iranian religious diplomacy towards Latin America and how these capacities can be implemented.
Analysis of Liberation Theology indicates that Social Religion, as its central concept, can be an efficient tool for Iranian religious diplomacy. Additionally, themes such as contextual focus, commitment of religious knowledge, functionalism, social freedom, praxis authenticity, and opposition to oppression are relevant. Corresponding Islamic concepts include Ijtihad, the requirements of the time, justice, Jihad, the quality of means employment, the utility of knowledge, freedom-seeking, spiritual freedom, the greater Jihad, commitment of religious knowledge, and opposition to stagnant religiosity, religious governance, Velayat-e Faqih, and religious democracy. Utilizing these capacities and concepts through a dialogue strategy, a key principle of religious diplomacy, could enhance effective interaction and cooperation between Iran and Latin America, supporting Iran’s diplomatic objectives in the region.