Episode 152 – Jaw-Jaw or War-War? — An Update on Iran

The conflict involving Iran has entered another period of uncertainty, with diplomatic efforts faltering and regional tensions rising once again. In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Hal Brands, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, to assess the latest developments and what they could mean for the Middle East and beyond. They discuss the collapse of recent diplomatic agreements, the strategic objectives of the key parties involved, and how Gulf states are balancing security concerns with efforts to prevent further escalation. The conversation also explores the implications for NATO, global energy markets, and the range of scenarios policymakers and investors should be watching in the weeks ahead. This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.