Iran’s growing strategic ambitions

Gideon talks to Vali Nasr, author of Iran’s Grand Strategy and professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University, SAIS, about how the balance of power in the Middle East is changing. After six months of on-off hostilities, Nasr argues, Iran’s core aims are unchanged - ending the US threat and securing economic relief. But Iran now looks to have the upper hand and is using its leverage from controlling the Strait of Hormuz to seek ever more far-reaching concessions from the superpower. Clip: CTV Free links to read more on this topic: Will failure in Iran reshape how the US fights? Iran’s supreme leader elevates loyalists as he tightens grip Trump and the failure of the Fafo doctrine Brinkmanship in the Strait of Hormuz Israel’s campaign to make southern Lebanon ‘unliveable’ Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. Sound design is by Breen Turner Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.