The Iran Podcast

Death toll rises as U.S. and Iran continue escalating across the region.Negar Mortazavi on ABC Australia

As the U.S.-Iran MOU unravels, clashes in the Strait of Hormuz are pushing both sides back toward war. We examine the escalation, the strategy in Washington and Tehran, and what remains of diplomacy. Negar Mortazavi on Al Jazeera

The U.S. and Iran are exchanging strikes for the sixth day in a row, as the two countries battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz.Negar Mortazavi joins NPR

Trump imposes a blockade on Iran. Tehran escalates in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides are back to hot conflict. What are their goals, what is the strategy, and who can absorb more pain over the long run? Negar Mortazavi and Doug Bandow of Cato Institute on Aljazeera

President Trump's effort to stretch the limits of the U.S.–Iran MoU after facing criticism for signing it, and why Tehran is signaling that it is willing to fight rather than accept more pressure or concessions.Negar Mortazavi and Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute discuss on Al Jazeera.

In this episode of The Iran Podcast, Negar Mortazavi speaks with Sina Azodi about his book, Iran and the Bomb, tracing the history of Iran's nuclear program from its origins under the Shah through the 1979 revolution, the Obama-era JCPOA, Trump's maximum-pressure campaign, two wars, and the uncertain state of the program and diplomacy today.This live conversation was recorded at Busboys and Poets in Washington. (Part 2)

In this episode of The Iran Podcast, Negar Mortazavi speaks with Sina Azodi about his book, Iran and the Bomb, tracing the history of Iran's nuclear program from its origins under the Shah through the 1979 revolution, the Obama-era JCPOA, Trump's maximum-pressure campaign, two wars, and the uncertain state of the program and diplomacy today.This live conversation was recorded at Busboys and Poets in Washington. (Part 1)

The latest U.S.-Iran escalation has put the fragile Memorandum of Understanding under growing strain, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as the central flashpoint. Tensions continue despite ongoing diplomacy, while both sides are using military pressure and negotiations in parallel to shape the terms of a possible long-term deal.Negar Mortazavi on Aljazeera

The funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei, its religious and political significance, the domestic, regional, and international messages behind the ceremony, and what it signals about continuity, succession, and the future of the Islamic Republic.Negar Mortazavi on CNN

The funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei marks a pivotal moment in Iran's modern history. Beyond its religious significance, the ceremony serves as a political statement, projecting continuity, resilience, and succession while sending messages to domestic, regional, and international audiences about the future of the Islamic Republic following the war with the United States and Israel.Negar Mortazavi on France 24

Negar Mortazavi joins Times Radio to discuss the peace talks between the U.S. and Iran with mediation from Qatar.

U.S. and Iran can not make a peace deal if Israel continues attacks on Lebanon. Negar Mortazavi speaks Maryam Moshiri on BBC

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Jeremy Scahill of Dropsite News about the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, the current cease-fire, the role of GCC countries, and the path ahead.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to NPR

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Kate Borsay on Times Radio. https://x.com/kaitborsay/status/2044478166593315030?s=46

Historic negotiations between Iran and the United States ended without a deal, leaving the Strait of Hormuz closed and putting a fragile ceasefire at risk. Vice President Vance led the American delegation in Islamabad with Iranian Speaker of Parliament Qalibaf leading the delegation from Tehran. After negotiations failed, President Trump took to Truth Social to say the U.S. Navy will blockade the strait. The collapse of those talks and the U.S. president's new threat now put the fragile, two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran in jeopardy.GUEST: Negar Mortazavi, journalist, host of Iran Podcast, and Senior Fellow at Center for International Policy.

Negar Mortazavi on Aljazeera in Doha, Qatar with Professor Ross Harrison of Middle East Institute

Negar Mortazavi joined NPR Here & Now to discuss the second week of US-Israel war on Iran, the new supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, and how the Iranian society views it all. Listen to the full show on NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/09/nx-s1-5742579/the-cost-of-war-with-iran

Negar Mortazavi and Ross Harrison on Aljazeera in Doha, Qatar

Negar Mortazavi joins the BBC discussing second week of the US-Israel war on #Iran, escalating strikes across Tehran, the mounting civilian toll (1300+ killed), widespread infrastructure damage, and how residents are coping with daily life under sustained bombardment.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to ABC about the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to France 24 about Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, what this means for the future of Iran's domestic and foreign policy, its impacts on the current war, and the divide among the Iranian society.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to CNN about US-Iran nuclear talks and the path towards war or diplomacy.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to France 24 about U.S.-Iran talks coming up in Geneva and the final stretch for diplomacy before a potential war.

United States, Iran and Israel Panel

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Ali Velshi on MSNOW

Negar Mortazavi speaks to NPR-WAMU about U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva.It was just a few week ago that the U.S. and Iran appeared close to military confrontation.That was after protests in Iran led President Donald Trump to say the country's religious leaders should stop killing demonstrators and pursuing nuclear weapons. U.S. military buildup in the region has continued.Representatives for both countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday for a second round of negotiations. And the message out of that three-hour meeting from both sides was generally positive. But where do talks go from here and what would a U.S.-Iran agreement cover?https://the1a.org/segments/the-second-round-of-us-iran-talks/

Iranians are once again protesting. In cities and towns across Iran, people have poured into the streets driven by economic despair and a desire for structural political change. As the 47th anniversary of 1979 Iranian Revolution approaches, serious questions exist about the future of the Islamic Republic. Is this the beginning of the end for Iran's clerical authoritarian regime? Can the Iranian regime survive this existential moment? How should the international community respond? Panel discussion hosted in January 2026 at Georgetown University, chaired by Professor Nader Hashemi, with speakers Negar Mortazavi and Daniel Brumberg.Watch the video of this panel HERE.

Ilan Goldenberg of J Street hosted a live briefing featuring two leading Iran experts who examined the current state of the protests, how President Trump's threats of intervention are being perceived inside Iran, and the policy options currently available to the United States.Nate Swanson is director of Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council. He has served as a senior advisor on Iran policy across multiple administrations, most recently as Director for Iran at the National Security Council.Negar Mortazavi is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and the editor and host of The Iran Podcast. An award-winning journalist and political commentator, she has covered Iranian affairs and U.S. policy towards Iran for 15 years.

Negar Mortazavi joins a France 24 panel on Iran protests, the violent and the deadly crackdown, and the path ahead.

Negar Mortazavi speaks with NPR about U.S.-Iran talks scheduled in Istanbul (then moved to Oman).Broadcast on 3 February 2026: https://the1a.org/segments/what-steve-witkoff-wants-from-iran/

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Aljazeera about U.S.-Iran negotiations in Oman, what each side wants from the talks, the chance of diplomatic success and the threat of a regional war.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to BBC about prospects for diplomacy between Tehran and Washington under the shadow of war.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to France24 about US-Iran standoff in the Middle East and how war can unleash chaos across the region.

Negar Mortazavi speaks with AlArabiya

Negar Mortazavi speaks to BBC World about mass protests in Iran, President Trump's signals on diplomacy and war, and the view in Tehran. Negar Mortazavi is a Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington DC.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Times Radio about U.S. military asset buildup in the Middle East, President Trump's comments on war and diplomacy, and Iran's threats of hitting back if attacked.www.thetimes.com/radio

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Ali Velshi on MSNOW about Iran protests, U.S. threats of intervention, and the path ahead.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Times Radio about President Trump telling protesters in Iran that: “Help is on the way”

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Times Radio about anti-government protests in Iran, internet shutdown across the country, and the violent crackdown amid foreign military threats.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Canadian TV about anti-government protests across Iran, the grievances and demands of the protesters, and the threat of war.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to AlArabiya about ongoing protests across Iran, President Trump's post about the protests, and the danger of more conflict and war in the region.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Times Radio about anti-government protests across Iran as President Trump threatens that the U.S. is locked and loaded to interfere.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to LBC Radio about Iran protests and President Trump's post about helping the protesters.Hosted by Simon Marks

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Times Radio in the UK about days of anti-government protests across Iran in response to inflation, under the threat of military strikes by Israel and the United States.

Negar Mortazavi and Vali Nasr had a book talk at the Busboys and Poets bookstore in Washington, to discuss Nasr's latest book “Iran's Grand Strategy”

Negar Mortazavi speaks to BBC World Radio about Iran's plan to gradually raise fuel prices in a tiered system.

Negar Mortazavis speaks to Robert Malley about his new book, with Hussein Agha, “Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine”. They also discuss US-Iran tensions and negotiate under Presidents Obama, Biden and Trump.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Alberto Fittarelli about Israel-liked influence operations that were pushing for regime-change in Iran during the 12 day war. Alberto Fittarelli is a Senior Researcher at Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto.

Negar Mortazavi speaks to Hamidreza Azizi about Iran's shifting regional strategy after the 12-day war with Israel, and the limits of the Axis of Resistance against Israel and the U.S.

Negar Mortazavi speaks with Vali Nasr, Professor and former dean at Johns Hopkins University, about Iran's grand strategy, the 12-day war with Israel, and Iran's long term foreign policy calculations.