CSISTensions between the United States and Iran have spiked following Iran’s brutal crackdown on recent protests. Last month, President Trump ordered an aircraft carrier strike group to the region, threatening renewed military confrontation. Fearful of broader regional destabilization, some regional actors engaged in intensive mediation to de-escalate tensions and restart talks between the United States and Iran. The two countries conducted a first round of high stakes talks in Oman on February 6. While President Trump has signaled that negotiations should continue, wide differences divide the two and the potential for renewed conflict remains high. Will negotiations between the two countries succeed, or is a resumption of conflict more likely?
Please join the CSIS Middle East Program for a discussion unpacking these developments, featuring our senior non-resident experts Amb. (ret.) Michael Ratney, Amb. (ret.) Susan L. Ziadeh, Vali Nasr, and Joseph A. Farsakh. The event will be moderated by Mona Yacoubian, senior adviser and director of the Middle East Program. This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.
