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Iran
"On June 19, the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution expressing “serious concern” over Iran’s refusal to provide the agency with access to two facilities suspected of possibly having hosted undeclared nuclear materials and activities. The resolution came two years after the U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal (also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on Iran. It was drafted and tabled by France, Germany and the United Kingdom (known as the E3), leading to speculations that Europe might have finally decided to join the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. However, despite the optics of the resolution, this does not appear to be the case. "
Europe Continues to Brush Off the U.S. Maximum Pressure Campaign Against Iran
In The News, 15 July 2020 Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"“This precision strike capability means that Iran can make a calibrated response to any US action targeting an oil facility or military site in tit-for-tat strikes which limits the idea of ‘deterrence by punishment’,” said Dr Jack Watling, a Research Fellow at RUSI. “People will think twice about fighting them, even if Tehran is left weaker than their opponents. They give Iran scope to fight by proxies knowing huge retaliation is unlikely.”
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Forget drones, its Iran's precision missiles that deter invasion
In The News, 11 June 2020 Tags: Iran
The Constraints of Infallibility: The Pronouncements of Iran’s Supreme Leader
RUSI Journal, 28 May 2020
P Sadeghi and Jack Watling
It is hard for the Supreme Leader to change his position on major policy questions.
Tags: Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iran, Military Sciences, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
In the Chaos of Syrian Geopolitics, Russia Remains Dominant
Commentary, 15 May 2020
Kamal Alam
The Russians appear to be expressing dissatisfaction with the Syrian president. But these are mere rumblings; the Syrian government is consolidating, and Russia is there to stay.
Tags: Turkey, Iran, The Gulf Region, Russia, Syria
Assessing Force Requirements for a Military Response to Iranian Actions
RUSI Newsbrief, 7 May 2020
Kenneth Freeman
If the US was to invade Iran, how much money, equipment and personnel would be required? This article suggests that the costs would be prohibitive and other methods of managing relations with Iran should be explored.
Tags: United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, Global Security Issues
Iranian Command and Control for Proxy Warfare
Multimedia, 1 May 2020
Dr Jack Watling sheds light on Iran's approach to Command and Control and proxy warfare.
Tags: Adversarial Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iran, Military Sciences, Profession of Arms, Middle East and North AfricaPages
In the Chaos of Syrian Geopolitics, Russia Remains Dominant
Commentary, 15 May 2020Kamal Alam
The Russians appear to be expressing dissatisfaction with the Syrian president. But these are mere rumblings; the Syrian government is consolidating, and Russia is there to stay.
Turkey, Iran, The Gulf Region, Russia, Syria
Iran’s ‘Business as Usual’ Strategy amid the Coronavirus Crisis
Commentary, 23 April 2020Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi
Hard-hit by the coronavirus crisis, Iran shows no signs of weakening overseas
Civil–Military Relations, Coronavirus, Iran, Domestic Security, Global Security Issues, Intelligence, Law and Ethics
The Integrated Review: The UK’s Iran Policy in a Changing Global Security Environment
Commentary, 15 April 2020Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi
A fundamental rethink of the UK’s approach to Iran is both needed and timely.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, United Nations, Iran, NATO, European Union, Security Policy, Domestic Security, International Institutions, UK Defence
Europe and the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Middle East
Commentary, 6 April 2020Tobias Borck
The pandemic preoccupies Europe. But the continent should not lose sight of potential new crises in the Middle East.
Egypt, Iran, The Gulf Region, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Middle East and North Africa
Avenging Soleimani
Commentary, 19 March 2020Jack Watling
Iran is striking back for the killing of one of its top commanders. A real test of US resolve in the Middle East is beginning.
United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, Military Sciences, Global Security IssuesPages
Iranian Command and Control for Proxy Warfare
Multimedia, 1 May 2020Dr Jack Watling sheds light on Iran's approach to Command and Control and proxy warfare.
Tags: Adversarial Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iran, Military Sciences, Profession of Arms, Middle East and North Africa
Iran Crisis: Implications for the UK
Multimedia, 8 January 2020Dr Jack Watling outlines how the UK will be affected in Iraq following the targetted killing of Qassem Soleimani.
Tags: Iran, UK
Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi on the Iran Nuclear Deal
Multimedia, 18 June 2019Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi talks to BBC News about the Iran Nuclear Deal. One year after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran Deal, Iran is looking to scale back its commitment.
Tags: United States, Iran, Americas, Germany, International Security Studies, Russia, France, UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa
The Iran Protests
Multimedia, 5 January 2018 Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Global Security Issues, Middle East and North Africa
Understanding Unpredictability in the Middle East in 2018
Multimedia, 4 January 2018Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi outlines priorities for analysts will be to understand the impact and unpredictability of US policy in the Middle East.
Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Middle East and North AfricaPages
The Constraints of Infallibility: The Pronouncements of Iran’s Supreme Leader
RUSI Journal, 28 May 2020P Sadeghi and Jack Watling
It is hard for the Supreme Leader to change his position on major policy questions.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, RUSI Journal, Iran, Military Sciences, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
Assessing Force Requirements for a Military Response to Iranian Actions
RUSI Newsbrief, 7 May 2020Kenneth Freeman
If the US was to invade Iran, how much money, equipment and personnel would be required? This article suggests that the costs would be prohibitive and other methods of managing relations with Iran...
United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, RUSI Newsbrief, Global Security Issues
The Future Conflict Operating Environment Out to 2030
Occasional Papers, 3 June 2019Peter Roberts (Editor)
This Occasional Paper presents a collection of essays about contemporary trends in war and warfare, and how they will shape the actions of belligerents in future conflicts.
Aerospace, China, Iran, Occasional Papers, North Korea, Russia, Military Sciences, Technology, Terrorism
Israel’s World is Shrinking: How the Iran–Russia Axis is Gaining Ground
RUSI Newsbrief, 18 April 2019Kyle Orton
Israeli opinion generally regards the country’s efforts to contain Iran, especially in Syria, as having been successful. In fact, the trendline runs the other way: Iran is constraining Israel,...
Iran, RUSI Newsbrief, Russia, Syria, Israel, Global Security Issues
Iran's Objectives and Capabilities: Deterrence and Subversion
Occasional Papers, 19 February 2019Jack Watling
This Occasional Paper explores Iran's foreign policy objectives through a strategic lens, considering strengths, weaknesses, and proxy relationships.
Civil–Military Relations, Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iran, Occasional Papers, Global Strategy and Commitments, Military Sciences, Defence Management, Defence Policy, Global Security Issues, Military Personnel, Terrorism, Middle East and North AfricaPages
Iraq, Iran and the US: Economic trends in the wake of sanctions
Events, 31 October 2018In association with the Iraq Britain Business Council, RUSI will host a panel discussion on the future of Iraq, its economic and political stability.
RUSI International, Iran, Iraq, Middle East and North Africa
BY INVITATION ONLY: Roundtable on the Iran Nuclear Deal with Baroness Catherine Ashton and Richard Nephew
Events, 1 June 2017The Royal United Services Institute will host a private roundtable with Baroness Catherine Ashton and Richard Nephew on Thursday 1 June 2017 to discuss their respective roles in the negotiations of...
Iran, International Security Studies
Transatlantic Compliance Challenges in the JCPOA
Events, 15 March 2016In this event, Richard Nephew, former Director for Iran on the National Security Staff, and Michael Lyons, Senior Associate at Clifford Chance, will examine the challenges faced in the US and in the...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, European Union, International Security Studies, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues
"On June 19, the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution expressing “serious concern” over Iran’s refusal to provide the agency with access to two facilities suspected of possibly having hosted undeclared nuclear materials and activities. The resolution came two years after the U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal (also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on Iran. It was drafted and tabled by France, Germany and the United Kingdom (known as the E3), leading to speculations that Europe might have finally decided to join the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. However, despite the optics of the resolution, this does not appear to be the case."
Europe Continues to Brush Off the U.S. Maximum Pressure Campaign Against Iran
In The News, 15 July 2020 Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"On June 19, the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution expressing “serious concern” over Iran’s refusal to provide the agency with access to two facilities suspected of possibly having hosted undeclared nuclear materials and activities. The resolution came two years after the U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal (also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on Iran. It was drafted and tabled by France, Germany and the United Kingdom (known as the E3), leading to speculations that Europe might have finally decided to join the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. However, despite the optics of the resolution, this does not appear to be the case."
Europe Continues to Brush Off the U.S. Maximum Pressure Campaign Against Iran
In The News, 15 July 2020 Tags: Iran, International Security Studies, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"“This precision strike capability means that Iran can make a calibrated response to any US action targeting an oil facility or military site in tit-for-tat strikes which limits the idea of ‘deterrence by punishment’,” said Dr Jack Watling, a Research Fellow at RUSI. “People will think twice about fighting them, even if Tehran is left weaker than their opponents. They give Iran scope to fight by proxies knowing huge retaliation is unlikely.” "
Forget drones, its Iran's precision missiles that deter invasion
In The News, 11 June 2020 Tags: Iran
"The risk of escalation between the US and Iran is particularly high at this point because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected both countries severely, said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a Middle East security expert at the Royal United Service Institute. "On top of the fact that each side has maintained in place its strategy (maximum pressure and retaliation respectively), it is possible that the coronavirus outbreak will increase the chances of miscalculation," Ms Tabrizi told The National."
Iran to target US warships if they threaten vessels: IRGC commander
In The News, 23 April 2020 Tags: United States, Iran, Americas, International Security Studies, Defence Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"“Iran is attempting to show its strength while trying to avoid escalation,” said Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director general of the Royal United Services Institute. “The government is under tremendous domestic and economic pressure because of sanctions and the virus. “But Iran does not want to escalate beyond a certain point. "It has not yet changed its calculus to do something above the US retaliation threshold that would provoke a severe response from Washington. "Tehran clearly understands that killing US personnel is very much a red line for President Trump, with the chances of escalation extremely high.”"
Iran's latest aggression part of distraction campaign from poor handling of coronavirus
In The News, 16 April 2020 Tags: Iran
Twelve Years Since the August War, Georgia Still Faces Russian Aggression
On the Cusp: Dr Markus Jakobsson
Countering Interference at the Next US Election