Episode 143 – Enduring the Pain - Strategy, Leverage, and the Cost of Waiting in the U.S.-Iran Conflict
About this episode
Clay Lowery and Mona Yacoubian discuss the complexities of the U.S.-Iran conflict and the implications of regional dynamics and negotiations.
In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Mona Yacoubian, Director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, to unpack what the current phase of negotiations to deescalate the conflict in Iran is really telling us. They discuss how Iran is viewing its leverage, why energy disruption remains central to Tehran’s strategy, and how regional dynamics, particularly involving Lebanon and regional proxy networks, are complicating efforts to contain the conflict. The conversation looks beyond formal negotiations to the roles being played by Hezbollah and other aligned groups, and what their involvement means for escalation risks across the region. Clay and Mona also examine shifting signals from Gulf states, internal debates within Iran’s leadership, and how Washington’s strategy has evolved from direct military action toward blockades and diplomacy. 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.
More episodes of Current Account with Clay Lowery
- Episode 152 – Jaw-Jaw or War-War? — An Update on Iran
- Episode 151 – The Fast and the Furious 5.1 — Fueling Up for Frontier AI
- Episode 150 – Putting the Band Back Together - U.S. Trade Policy
- Episode 149 – Beyond the Dot Plot — The Future of the Fed
- Episode 148 – Latin America’s Political Pendulum — Left, Right, Repeat
- Episode 147 – The Future Is Now — Discussing Leadership in Banking
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