In the complex world of international relations, soft power(recognized as a significant dimension of the broader concept of power), occupies a crucial position as a decisive factor in deepening strategic influence, enhancing geopolitical leverage, and ensuring national security. This article, by focusing on national values as the key independent variable, examines their role in strengthening soft power and, consequently, in enhancing Iran’s national security. The study situates this role within the framework of Iran’s geopolitical competition with Turkey as a case study. Given Ankara’s extensive and active investment in the domain of soft power, the central research question is: To what extent does Iran’s utilization of its national soft-power components—such as the Persian language and literature, along with its historical and civilizational heritage—affect its national security, particularly in the context of geopolitical rivalry with Turkey? The hypothesis under examination posits that the strategic and intelligent deployment of these identity-based resources can not only enhance Iran’s competitive and balancing position in the cultural and civilizational spheres of critical regions such as the Caucasus and Central Asia, but also, by generating attractiveness and legitimacy, contribute to expanding Iran’s geopolitical influence and consolidating the foundations of its national security vis-à-vis regional rivals like Turkey. This research adopts an analytical-explanatory approach and relies on library and documentary sources. Its findings are expected to provide a conceptual framework for formulating more effective strategies in Iran’s foreign policy and cultural diplomacy in its competition with regional actors.