New Books in Middle Eastern Studies Understanding Iran Under Attack: A Discussion with Author Vali Nasr
Mar 12, 2026
Vali Nasr, Majid Khadduri Professor of International Affairs and Iran analyst born in Tehran, discusses Iran’s surprising wartime resilience and thorough advance planning. He explains Iran’s strategy of extending the battlefield and targeting U.S. assets. He explores regime cohesion, the Revolutionary Guard’s role, complex ethnic identities, and regional consequences of a potential collapse.
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Public Statements Aren't Regime Cracks
- Public disagreements (e.g., a presidential apology) don't indicate regime fissures during wartime.
- Nasr argues war cabinet and Revolutionary Guard drive decisions, so civilian statements are limited in influence and don't show real fractures.
Iranian Policy Is National Security Not Purely Religious
- U.S. policymakers misread Iran when they reduce Tehran's behavior to religious fanaticism rather than national security calculation.
- Nasr stresses Iran's actions stem from a historically rooted fear of U.S. interference and a grand strategy to protect independence.
IRGC Loyalty Comes From Revolutionary Origins
- The IRGC is rooted in the revolution and sees itself as defender of the constitution, not a separate coup-prone military.
- Nasr compares the IRGC to revolutionary armies like China's Red Army, arguing it accepts supreme leader authority.
