The Heat: US-Iran tensions

The Heat

USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in Persian Gulf amid U.S.-Iran tensions

In recent weeks, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated, raising concerns the two countries could be headed toward a possible war.

But in a sudden shift, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he’s not interested in pursuing regime change and is ready to negotiate a new nuclear deal with the Iranian leadership.

The White House position does not change the fact that the US president has tightened economic sanctions on Iran, ordered 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East and sent an aircraft carrier to the region.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran is willing to talk with the U.S. if it’s in a respectful manner.

But Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defended his country’s nuclear ambitions and said Tehran would never heed to American pressure.

To discuss all of this:

  • Nasser Hadian is a professor of law and political science at the University of Tehran.
  • Negar Mortazavi is a journalist and consultant editor with the British online newspaper, The Independent.
  • Guy Burton is a visiting fellow with the London School of Economics Middle East Centre.
  • James Carafano is vice president of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and the E.W. Richardson fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

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