Ali Vaez

Ali Vaez, the Iran Project Director for the International Crisis Group, discusses the complex dynamics of Iran-backed militias in the current geopolitical landscape. He reveals how these militias are using modern tactics, including TikTok, to challenge U.S. and Israeli forces. The conversation covers the historical roots of Iran's 'axis of resistance' and its implications for regional stability. Vaez also highlights the threats to U.S. troops following recent escalations, drawing attention to the interplay between social media fame and rising extremism.

Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, Director of the House of Diplomacy in Tehran, and Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, offer sharp insights into the fraught landscape of U.S.-Iran relations. They dissect Iran's firm stance against negotiations under pressure and the implications of escalating uranium enrichment. The duo discusses America's shifting negotiation tactics and skepticism towards diplomatic engagement, while highlighting Iran's reluctance to trust past overtures, unraveling the complexities of a potential nuclear deal.