Iran

The Middle East’s New Intermediaries: Can the Gulf States Broker Peace Between America, Iran, and Israel?

Earlier this year, the Arab Gulf states were riding high. The energy crisis that followed the coronavirus pandemic had filled their coffers and renewed their roles as the stewards of global oil markets—and, in Qatar’s case, a reliable source of liquefied natural gas. Over the past few years, the Gulf …

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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (July 23—30, 2025)

The IRGC spokesman stated that the Israeli defense minister’s threats against the IranianSupreme Leader were intended for psychological warfare and that the Iranian armed forcesare prepared to resume fighting with Israel. The Iranian chief of staff also stressed that hiscountry is prepared to deal decisively with the renewal of attacks …

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Iran Update, July 28, 2025

The E3 (the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) reiterated that it will trigger the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) snapback mechanism to reinstate UN Security Council sanctions on Iran if Iran fails to make progress towards a nuclear deal by the end of August 2025.[1] CTP-ISW previously assessed that …

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Squirming axis. After the strikes of the United States and Israel, Iranian proxies are weakened, but not defeated

In a short war with Israel and the United States, none of the many proxies could help Iran: the “axis of resistance” for years built by the Islamic Republic, formed from groups that oppose Israel and the United States, was practically broken. However, according to the orientalist Marianne Belenka, the …

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Iran’s New Trap vs. Trump’s Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance to Transform the Middle East

President Donald J. Trump, through a bold and unapologetic foreign policy, has emerged in just a few short months, as the only leader in recent history capable of reshaping the region and challenging Iran’s theocratic dictatorship with real consequences. His actions have already produced historic results… If Trump settles into …

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The Post-Iranian Middle East

America and Israel Can Build a New Regional Order Five decades ago, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin established the principle that Israel would not allow any country that calls for its destruction to acquire nuclear weapons. And beginning on June 13, it made good on this pledge. Over nearly two …

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The Risk Of Civil War In Iran: Disunity, The Loss Of Agency – Analysis

The 12-day war between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran shattered not only the regime’s military credibility but also exposed the structural weaknesses within the Iranian opposition. While the regime lost much of its deterrent power and legitimacy, the opposition failed to translate this moment into political gain. It …

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Iran Update, July 9, 2025

Russia offered to help replenish Iran’s depleted uranium stockpile to support a peaceful nuclear program.[1] CTP-ISW previously assessed that Russia’s involvement in the US-Iran nuclear talks would be very unlikely to secure US interests due to Russia’s alignment with Iran.[2] Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on July 8 …

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Iran: Will the West Finish the Job?

Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is not a turning point. It is business as usual. Tehran’s decades-long strategy — deny, delay, deceive — continues, and the West still refuses to call it for what it is: a slow-motion march toward nuclear capability. Pictured: Reza …

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