After Wars and False Starts, Cautious Optimism for U.S.-Iran Talks

After Wars and False Starts, Cautious Optimism for U.S.-Iran Talks
 Interview with The New York Times, June 23, 2026     By Erika Solomon   It took two devastating wars and the collapse of two previous attempts at mediation.  Now, regional experts say, Iran and the United States finally look ready at least to try to strike a deal in good faith. Pessimism was high when negotiations kicked off last weekend in Switzerland, hosted by international mediators and bringing together …
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War on Iran: interview with BBC World News

War on Iran: interview with BBC World News
live on BBC World News television, dated 2nd April 2026 In this live interview I discussed the situation of the Israeli-US war on Iran and the Iranian position and comprehension of this war.     Video on Youyube
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Qalibaf alone in IslamAbad?

Qalibaf alone in IslamAbad?
Interview with the Strategic Program, Eco Iran, dated April 19, 2026 -    Sasan Karimi, a faculty member at the University of Tehran, in an interview with "Strategic Dialogue," spoke about his experience of being in Doha at the onset of the war, the tense atmosphere in Arab countries, the weakness of Iran's regional diplomacy, the challenges of negotiations with the United States, and the necessity for a fundamental change …
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Talk to Dr. Mohammad Fazeli in IranTak videocast

Talk to Dr. Mohammad Fazeli in IranTak videocast
Sasan Karimi is a specialist in political philosophy and international relations, but he also holds specialized training in particle physics and is well-versed in atomic energy issues and the nuclear file. He has also been active in Iran's foreign policy arena and is a colleague of Mohammad Javad Zarif. In this interview, he examines Iran-U.S. relations across different periods and highlights the perspectives that have shaped and dominated the analysis …
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War on Iran: For Iran’s Rulers, Refusing U.S. Demands Is a Risk Worth Taking

War on Iran: For Iran’s Rulers, Refusing U.S. Demands Is a Risk Worth Taking
Quote in New York Times, dated 28th Feb, 2026: “Avoiding war is indeed a high priority, but not at any cost,” said Sasan Karimi, a political scientist at the University of Tehran who served as the deputy vice president for strategy in Iran’s previous government. “At times, a political state —especially an ideological one — may weigh its place in history as heavily as, or even more heavily than, its immediate …
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Ceasefire: Interview with Christian Amanpour, CNN

Ceasefire: Interview with Christian Amanpour, CNN
Ceasefire: Interview with Christian Amanpour, CNN, 8th April 2026 about the US-Israel war on Iran "As a shaky ceasefire comes into effect, I ask former Iranian government official Sasan Karimi where peace talks might go, about the outcome of this war..." Video on X
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War on Iran

War on Iran
live interview with Al Jazeera English television, dated 3rd April 2026 -    Video on Youtube    
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A U.S. attack can be avoided; Geneva will be decisive.

A U.S. attack can be avoided; Geneva will be decisive.
  Interview with Sasan Karimi: “For the U.S., an escalation would be pointless, but they must not make excessive demands” 24th February 2026 | 14:52 Adnkronos Editorial Staff   Iran, former deputy vice president: “A U.S. attack is avoidable; Geneva will be decisive An attack on Iran “is not inevitable,” but the United States must “come back down to earth” in its nuclear-related demands. The talks scheduled in Geneva could …
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Geneva Talks: A Nuclear Tango or a Prelude to a Swift Military Strike?

Geneva Talks: A Nuclear Tango or a Prelude to a Swift Military Strike?
Interview with Al Jazeera Arabic TV, dated 22nd Feb. 2026 -    The Geneva rounds conclude with optimistic statements about the possibility of an agreement, yet they proceed under the shadow of declared military pressure. Washington is employing the threat of a tactical strike as a negotiating tool to extract a swift nuclear deal, in a critical test of the limits of diplomacy between the two parties. This framework places …
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Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks: Realism and trust key to progress in deal

Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks: Realism and trust key to progress in deal
Interview with CGTN TV of China, 2026. 17 February   CGTN's Sepehr Saremi spoke with Sasan Karimi, Assistant Professor Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran. Professor Karimi says progress of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. are heavily dependent on realistic expectations and trust, which he believes is in short supply. SEPEHR SAREMI Tehran "Professor, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with …
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Iran's Positive Diplomacy After Snapback: Opportunities and Challenges?

Iran's Positive Diplomacy After Snapback: Opportunities and Challenges?
Interview with IranView24, dated 1st Oct. 2025         With the implementation of the snapback mechanism against Iran, the future of Tehran's diplomacy is shrouded in ambiguity. Experts say that Tehran, on one hand, can move toward harsh actions such as suspending the NPT or limiting cooperation with the Agency, but on the other hand, it has the opportunity to adopt a positive and active approach by proposing ideas such …
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406 Days Later: Reviewing Araghchi's Record with a Collection of Crises

406 Days Later: Reviewing Araghchi's Record with a Collection of Crises
Interview with the Shargh newspaper on Tuesday, October 1, 2025   Abdulrahman Fathollahi: In the 406 days that have passed since Abbas Araghchi took the helm of the foreign policy apparatus of the Fourteenth Government, what has occurred resembles more a list of all negative possibilities than a path out of the country's impasse—from the continuation of stagnation, chill, and even freeze in relations with some countries to the failure of nuclear …
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Two key points in Pezeshkian's address at the UNGA

Two key points in Pezeshkian's address at the UNGA
Interview with the KhabarOnline website, dated 24th September 2025 -      Today's conditions are not comparable to the era of Mr. Ahmadinejad. Mr. Pezeshkian's personal credibility is vastly different, and moreover, many facts about Israel have now become clear and evident. The entire world has witnessed the aggressions and illegal actions of the Zionist regime.Our country is in the post-12-day war period and is also on the verge of the return …
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With what plan is Pezeshkian heading to New York?

With what plan is Pezeshkian heading to New York?
Interview with Donyaye Eghtesad daily, 22nd September 2025 -    Sasan Karimi, a lecturer in international politics at the University of Tehran, also discussed the possibility of an agreement on not activating the snapback mechanism in the wake of upcoming consultations and developments in New York, in an interview with the newspaper Donya-e Eqtesad. He said: "I doubt that anything significant will happen; because what emerges from the dynamics of relations between …
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"Give the Foreign Ministry sufficient authority / Two hours of indirect negotiations per week with Witkoff are futile

"Give the Foreign Ministry sufficient authority / Two hours of indirect negotiations per week with Witkoff are futile
Interview with KhabarOnline, dated 2nd August 2025 -    An international relations expert believes: Implementing this mechanism "requires decision-making in the country's legal and traditional higher institutions, but the Foreign Ministry should not be placed under newly established and parallel committees. This ministry must be able to operate independently and with sufficient authority."KhabarOnline - Javad Morshedi: On Tuesday night, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told Al Arabiya that the deadline for …
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On Iran's Economic Diplomacy, Oil Trade, and Private Sector Challenges During Sanctions

On Iran's Economic Diplomacy, Oil Trade, and Private Sector Challenges During Sanctions
Interview with ECO Iran's Strategic program, 18th July 2025 -    In this interview, I delve into the complexities of economic diplomacy, foreign oil trade, and the private sector's role during sanctions. We explore how nations leverage economic policies to strengthen global partnerships, navigate the high-stakes world of oil trade under geopolitical constraints, and adapt to sanctions' challenges. The discussion also highlights how the private sector innovates to overcome trade barriers …
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In interview to Tabnak: Negotiating with the U.S. without a comprehensive plan is futile

In interview to Tabnak: Negotiating with the U.S. without a comprehensive plan is futile
Interview with Tabnak on July 10, 2025 -    Dr. Sasan Karimi believes that ceremonial negotiations could harm Iran, as they might benefit the opposing side's political resume without any clear agenda.Tabnak International Service Report: On the early morning of Friday, June 13, 2025, following a terrorist attack by the Zionist regime on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, a number of military commanders, scientists, and civilians were martyred.The Zionist …
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Evaluation of Nuclear Negotiations and the Iran-Israel War

Evaluation of Nuclear Negotiations and the Iran-Israel War
  interview with IRNA, June 27th 2025 -          Tehran-IRNA - In an interview with IRNA, a senior foreign policy expert, discussing the trend of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, stated: "In foreign policy, as in military affairs, it is sometimes necessary to surprise the enemy. This enemy is not necessarily the party you are negotiating with, but often a third party or group …
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The twelve-day war between Iran and Israel and the ceasefire

The twelve-day war between Iran and Israel and the ceasefire
  Interview with BBC World TV, June 25th 2025 -    In this interview, less than a day after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, I discussed the situation of Iran's bombed nuclear sites and the future of Iran-IAEA relations, and any potential permission to inspect them.   Video on Youtube
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US, Iran to resume talks as enrichment standoff threatens deal

US, Iran to resume talks as enrichment standoff threatens deal
Interview with Al-Monitor, May 22, 2025 -    You're reading an excerpt from Al-Monitor Washington, where we break down the latest in US-Middle East diplomacy. To read the full newsletter, sign up here. WASHINGTON — When nuclear talks get underway in Rome on Friday, US and Iranian officials will test whether progress can be made on the thorny issue of uranium enrichment. After four previous rounds of talks, the two …
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Interview with Screenshot on Iran-US nuclear talks

Interview with Screenshot on Iran-US nuclear talks
Interview with Screenshot - May 2025   In this interview, different dimensions of the Iran-US nuclear talks have been reviewed and analyzed. Predicting different potential challenges of the negotiations could help create a clearer perception for better decision-making.   Youtube link  
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