Claim: Iran is a sovereign state that is not a superpower.
Evidence: Iran is a major regional and middle power , and its large reserves of fossil fuels -- which include the largest natural gas supply in the world and the fourth-largest proven oil reserves -- exert considerable influence in international energy security and the world economy.
In international relations , a middle power is a sovereign state that is not a superpower nor a great power , but still has large or moderate influence and international recognition.