Agreement and uncertainty: The Iran nuclear deal in a new global order
In an unstable world, Western policymakers need a new approach to Iran. They should think beyond non-proliferation to account for the country’s attempts at strategic balancing.
Experts & Staff
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj
ECFR Alumni · Visiting Fellow
Areas of expertise
Political economy of the Middle East and Central Asia, economic diplomacy, sanctions
Languages
English, Persian, French
Biography
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj was a visiting fellow with the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. He is the founder and CEO of the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation, a think tank focused on economic diplomacy, economic development, and economic justice in the Middle East and Central Asia. He has published peer reviewed research on Iranian political economy, social history, and public health, as well as commentary on Iranian politics and economics. He is also a principle member of a research project on the humanitarian impact of sanctions hosted by the Graduate Institute in Geneva and funded by the Swiss Network for International Studies. He is a graduate of Columbia University.
Shared interests: Why both China and the West support the Iran nuclear deal
China’s economic support for Iran in recent years encouraged Tehran to come back to the negotiating table. Instability in the Middle East is as little in Beijing’s interests as it is in the West’s.
Sharp relief: Automatic benefits and the Iran nuclear deal
It would be a mistake for the parties to the Iran nuclear deal to see the issue of guarantees in terms of economic targets. Instead, they should focus on how to normalise their economic relationship in the long term.
Nuclear talks under Raisi: Iran’s diplomats are going slow to appear smart
Western observers are despairing at the lack of progress on Iran nuclear talks. But the Raisi administration and the Iranian people both want sanctions relief to help the economy – meaning there is still cause for optimism.
The capture of Kabul: What the Taliban takeover will mean for Iran’s economy
Iran was more economically dependent on Afghanistan than many people realise. The change of regime will impact on Tehran in four main ways.
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
High stakes: How sanctions relief could impact EU-Iran trade
The new Iranian administration may agree on a revised JCPOA with the US. But if the economic benefits are paltry, political support will drain away.
The election of President Ebrahim Raisi and the future of Iran
Does the election of Raisi represent a significant change of direction following the term of President Rouhani?
Four steps to support Europe-Iran trade under a revived JCPOA
Even if the JCPOA is restored, European companies will hesitate to trade in Iran. European and American officials should work together to give companies the comfort they need.
Why Biden should not treat humanitarian trade as a concession to Iran
The Biden administration has boxed itself into a maximalist position that jeopardises efforts to make the Iran sanctions programme more humane. European governments should be pushed to change course.
Publications
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
Articles
Agreement and uncertainty: The Iran nuclear deal in a new global order
In an unstable world, Western policymakers need a new approach to Iran. They should think beyond non-proliferation to account for the country’s attempts at strategic balancing.
Shared interests: Why both China and the West support the Iran nuclear deal
China’s economic support for Iran in recent years encouraged Tehran to come back to the negotiating table. Instability in the Middle East is as little in Beijing’s interests as it is in the West’s.
Sharp relief: Automatic benefits and the Iran nuclear deal
It would be a mistake for the parties to the Iran nuclear deal to see the issue of guarantees in terms of economic targets. Instead, they should focus on how to normalise their economic relationship in the long term.
Nuclear talks under Raisi: Iran’s diplomats are going slow to appear smart
Western observers are despairing at the lack of progress on Iran nuclear talks. But the Raisi administration and the Iranian people both want sanctions relief to help the economy – meaning there is still cause for optimism.
The capture of Kabul: What the Taliban takeover will mean for Iran’s economy
Iran was more economically dependent on Afghanistan than many people realise. The change of regime will impact on Tehran in four main ways.
High stakes: How sanctions relief could impact EU-Iran trade
The new Iranian administration may agree on a revised JCPOA with the US. But if the economic benefits are paltry, political support will drain away.
Four steps to support Europe-Iran trade under a revived JCPOA
Even if the JCPOA is restored, European companies will hesitate to trade in Iran. European and American officials should work together to give companies the comfort they need.
Why Biden should not treat humanitarian trade as a concession to Iran
The Biden administration has boxed itself into a maximalist position that jeopardises efforts to make the Iran sanctions programme more humane. European governments should be pushed to change course.
How Europe can help Iran fight covid-19
European governments and the EU should press the US to strengthen the humanitarian exemptions in its Iran sanctions
Trading with Iran via the special purpose vehicle: How it can work
On 31 January, Germany, France and Britain announced the establishment of a special purpose vehicle aimed at facilitating legitimate trade with Iran
Podcasts
The election of President Ebrahim Raisi and the future of Iran
Does the election of Raisi represent a significant change of direction following the term of President Rouhani?
In the media
Resistance and endurance are pointless if diplomatic and economic opportunities are not seized when they arise
In an op-ed, Ellie Geranmayeh remarks on the state of the Iran nuclear deal on its seventh anniversary.
A successful outcome of the nuclear negotiations would be a strong signal that Iran’s long-term interests lie in a balanced foreign policy
For the West, the nuclear talks with Iran are primarily about political concerns, writes Esfandyar Batmanghelidj
It is one of the ways that Iran is able to demonstrate that it wants to turn the page after several years of very significant tension with the West
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj comments on reviving the Iran Nuclear Deal
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj comments on the potential for dissolving tension between Iran and the West
If you lose momentum at this late stage the dynamics shift in ways that it could become impossible to resume the talks,
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj comments on Iran in the context of nuclear warfare