Iran & the Middle East

5 must reads to understand Iranian influence on Middle Eastern politics.

• Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, countries in the Middle East and beyond have sought to understand Iran’s strategic intent and military capabilities.
• Iran’s influence on the region has changed over time but in the last decade experts have pointed to evidence that its influence is growing again.
• That’s thought to be due to the country’s partnerships with military and civilian groups around the region and involvement in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
• In 2015 the US government signed a deal with Irananian leaders that said the country would massively reduce its stockpile of nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief.
• However, in 2018 US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal, arguing that Iran was not complying.
• The future of the nuclear agreement with Iran is in doubt, but with new leaders in both countries, perhaps it will be entered into again.