The Iran Podcast

Ross Harrison, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and author on Iranian foreign policy, speaks from Washington, D.C. He explores how widened regional conflict and multiple actors complicate any route to de-escalation. He explains why leverage, not initial trust, shapes negotiations. He warns about spoilers and the practical risks of implementing ceasefires across fractured fronts.

Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow and analyst of Iranian politics, offers concise analysis of Iran’s shifting leadership and public mood. She discusses Mujtaba Khamenei’s unexpected selection, reasons clerics backed him, and whether he will follow his father’s hardline path. She also covers societal reactions, the risk of assassination, and the potential for escalating instability.

Ross Harrison, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and author focused on Iranian strategy, joins to unpack US-Iran tensions. He and Negar Mortazavi dissect White House rhetoric versus back-channel talks. They compare Trump’s past diplomacy, critique maximum pressure limits, and explore Iran’s asymmetric battlefield moves and escalation calculus.

Negar Mortazavi joins the BBC discussing second week of the US-Israel war on #Iran, escalating strikes across Tehran, the mounting civilian toll (1300+ killed), widespread infrastructure damage, and how residents are coping with daily life under sustained bombardment.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to ABC about the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to France 24 about Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, what this means for the future of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy, its impacts on the current war, and the divide among the Iranian society.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to CNN about US-Iran nuclear talks and the path towards war or diplomacy.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to France 24 about U.S.-Iran talks coming up in Geneva and the final stretch for diplomacy before a potential war.

Panel discussion about the U.S., Iran and Israel with Negar Mortazavi, Jamal Abdi and Stephen Kinzer hosted by Massachusetts Peace Action MAPA. Watch the video of this panel: https://youtu.be/cTpbZJoZf2w?si=AjvAsC5uynaMLc0-

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Ali Velshi on MSNOW