Sanam Vakil

Sanam Vakil, Chatham House Gulf politics director, and Afshon Ostovar, Naval Postgraduate School Iran analyst, unpack Iran’s resilience and regional fallout. They discuss Iran’s succession dynamics and IRGC influence. They explore Gulf states’ vulnerabilities, shifting Gulf–U.S. ties, and risks of wider instability.

Kevin Donegan, retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, explains naval options for escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Dennis Ross, longtime U.S. Middle East advisor, explores mediation, China and Russia’s leverage, and control of the strait. Sanam Vakil of Chatham House analyzes Iran’s regime calculations, sanctions dynamics, and why a quick resolution is unlikely.

Sanam Vakil, the Director of the Middle East Program at Chatham House, shares her expertise on Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional geopolitics. She discusses the urgent nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, emphasizing the potential for military action prompted by Israel. The conversation navigates shifting alliances, particularly Iran's diplomatic overtures to Saudi Arabia, and the complexities of U.S. foreign relations involving both nations. Vakil highlights the implications of these talks on Middle Eastern stability and the prospects for future agreements.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House and Iran expert. She walks through US-Iran tensions, regional diplomacy to avert war, and Tehran’s domestic legitimacy crisis. Short takes on nuclear negotiations, the risk of strikes provoking fragmentation, and how Iranian society’s aspirations clash with theocratic rule.

Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East program at Chatham House, shares her insights on Iran's nuclear negotiations and their impact on regional stability. She discusses how the evolving dynamics involve major players like the U.S., Israel, and emerging alliances with Russia and China. The conversation touches on the urgent need for a new nuclear deal and the tensions surrounding military options. Additionally, shifting relationships between Iran and Gulf states are explored, shedding light on the future of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Sanam Vakil, director of MENA at Chatham House and Iran analyst, outlines Tehran's survival strategy and why hard blows may not topple its command. She discusses targeted assassinations, an attrition approach likened to Vietnam, missed diplomatic off-ramps, Gulf states' limited leverage, regional fallout in Iraq, and why assumptions of imminent collapse are optimistic.

Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi, an Iranian-American internist, shares his frontline insights about the overwhelmed healthcare system in Iran amid protests. He highlights doctors' struggles, including warnings against treating injured protesters and the impact of security forces using live ammunition. Dr. Sanam Vakil, a Middle East expert, connects the dots between economic instability, rising food prices, and widespread anger leading to protests, while discussing the implications of potential foreign intervention and the importance of women's rights in this turmoil.

In this insightful discussion, Sanam Vakil, a Middle East scholar at Chatham House, and Mohamed Baharoun, a Gulf expert, tackle the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Vakil highlights the existential threats to Iran's leadership, particularly its nuclear ambitions, while Baharoun outlines the nuanced responses from Gulf states as tensions rise. They explore the possible diplomatic pathways to de-escalation and the broader implications for regional stability, military dynamics, and shifting alliances in today's geopolitical landscape.

Dr. Sanam Vakil, Director at Chatham House, dives into the complexities shaping the Middle East. She discusses Trump's tour and its implications for US-Iran relations, amid talks of a nuclear deal. The emotional toll of hostage negotiations is highlighted with the release of Edan Alexander, shedding light on Israel’s role and the broader impacts on society. Vakil also addresses the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ethical considerations involved, emphasizing the urgent need for action in the face of geopolitical tensions.

Laurel Rapp, expert on US foreign policy; General Sir Richard Barrons, retired senior military officer; and Sanam Vakil, specialist in Iranian politics. They debate US–Israeli strike aims and limits of air campaigns. They describe life inside Iran after strikes and how the IRGC shapes succession. They weigh risks to US domestic politics and regional security shifts.