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.
Experts & Staff
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj
Visiting Fellow
Areas of expertise
Political economy of the Middle East and Central Asia, economic diplomacy, sanctions
Languages
English, Persian, French
Biography
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj is 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.
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.
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
America’s latest wave of Iran sanctions
The US has re-imposed its sanctions on Iran; the final part of our sanctions mini-series explains how the US will implement them
Bankless task: can Europe stay connected to Iran?
Despite the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the reimposition of economic sanctions, Europe remains committed to maintaining ties with Iran
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
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
America’s latest wave of Iran sanctions
The US has re-imposed its sanctions on Iran; the final part of our sanctions mini-series explains how the US will implement them
Bankless task: can Europe stay connected to Iran?
Despite the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the reimposition of economic sanctions, Europe remains committed to maintaining ties 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
Iran might need more time. But it is the substance that matters, not the speed.
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj is quoted by L’Orient le Jour on Vienna talks about nuclear in Iran
The Raisi government is not going to be inclined to taking those diplomatic steps further than the nuclear deal itself
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj on the prospects of a new diplomatic relationship between Iran and the West after the election of Ebrahim Raisi as President
A Raisi administration is unlikely to pursue such a ‘more-for-more’ deal, and Raisi’s personal history and the possible conduct of his administration could lead to objections over broader negotiations
Esfandyar Batmaghelidj believes that new Iranian President Raisi’s personal history could pose problems for negotiating a nuclear deal
Raisi’s personal history and the possible conduct of his administration could lead to objections over broader negotiations among many in the west, citing human rights concerns
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj warns that new President Ebrahim Raisi’s human rights record may pose problems in the Iran nuclear talks
The reintroduction of American sanctions in 2018-19 led to a significant devaluation of the rial, which lost more than 60% of its value
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj links the reintroduction of US sanctions to currency devaluation and inlfation in Iran