During the negotiations regarding the Iranian nuclear program under George W. Bush's administration, Iran justified its uncooperative behavior by claiming that it had not received adequate respect from the United States and the international community. Referring to the previously rudimentary consideration of respect in the political science discipline of International Relations, this study pursues two main objectives: First, respect should be moved from the periphery to the center of consideration and receive a precise definition as an analytical tool for state behavior in the international system, free from moralizing implications. Second, this book aims to discuss the relevance of respect as an analytical tool and a distinct motivating factor for states, using the pertinent case study of the Iranian nuclear conflict. Overall, it is a politically astute endeavor.