Inside Iran’s Politics & Future | Kian Tajbakhsh on Power, Reform & US Relations - EP 115

In this episode of Kianistan, we are joined by Kian Tajbakhsh for a deeply insightful conversation on Iran’s political system, history, and future.Kian Tajbakhsh is Visiting Professor of International Relations at New York University and Fellow at Columbia University's Committee on Global Thought. An Iranian-American scholar of Middle East geopolitics and Iranian politics, he previously worked as a democracy and human rights advocate inside Iran. He spent nearly 13 months in Tehran’s Evin Prison, including 8 months in solitary confinement, followed by 6 years under house arrest as a political prisoner before being released as part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. He is the author of Creating Local Democracy in Iran and writes The Iran Crisis Notebook on Substack.Dr. Tajbakhsh reflects on his personal journey, offering rare insight into the intersection of politics, ideology, and lived experience. We explore the foundations of the Islamic Republic, including the concept of Vilayat-e-Faqih, and how power is structured between hardliners and reformists.The discussion also examines the current political climate in Iran, leadership dynamics, and the pressures shaping internal governance. We analyze United States–Iran relations, the role of economic sanctions, and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz in global geopolitics.Drawing from his academic work and Substack series Iran Crisis Notebook, Dr. Tajbakhsh offers a nuanced perspective on whether Iran is heading toward reform, continuity, or transformation — and what that means for the region and the world.🎙 Topics Discussed:• Kian Tajbakhsh’s academic career and personal experiences• Detention, solitary confinement, and reflections on Iran• Structure of the Islamic Republic and Vilayat-e-Faqih• Hardliners vs reformists in Iranian politics• US–Iran relations and economic sanctions• Strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz• Iran’s internal political balance and leadership changes• Future scenarios for political reform and stability👤 About Kian Tajbakhsh:Kian Tajbakhsh is Visiting Professor of International Relations at New York University and Fellow at Columbia University's Committee on Global Thought. An Iranian-American scholar of Middle East geopolitics and Iranian politics, he previously worked as a democracy and human rights advocate inside Iran. He spent over a decade facing detention and house arrest before his release as part of the 2015 nuclear agreement. He continues to write and comment on Iranian politics, regional geopolitics, and democratic reform.🌐 Connect with Kian Tajbakhsh:• Website: www.kiantajbakhsh.net• Substack: kian.substack.com• NYU Profile: https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/kiantajbakhsh.html📌 Subscribe for deep, intellectually grounded conversations on Iran and global geopolitics.🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms — search Kianistan.🌐 Visit: www.kianistan.com💼 Sponsored by: www.worldwidelistings.co.ukHashtags:#KianTajbakhsh #IranPolitics #USIranRelations #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #IranReform #StraitOfHormuz #GlobalPolitics #KianistanPodcast #Iran #Politics #KianTajbakhsh