Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck look at the UK’s relationships with Iran and the Gulf monarchies, as well as London’s role in nuclear diplomacy with Iran and regional security. Their guests Dr Sanam Vakil (Chatham House) and Professor Ali Ansari (St Andrews) trace the UK’s long history in the Gulf, and highlight the challenges facing policymakers in London.

In this episode, hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Israel’s perspective on Iran, the Iranian nuclear programme, and wider regional security. Their guest, Professor Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme, explains why Israel sees Iran as the main threat to its security, and suggests that Israel’s threats to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities should be taken seriously.

Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck look at the UAE’s perspectives on Iran and its nuclear programme, as well as regional security. They are joined by Sheikha Najla Al-Qassimi (B’Huth), who explains how the UAE balances its deep security concerns about Iran’s behaviour in the region and its extensive trading relations with the Islamic Republic. She also touches on the UAE’s views of the US, Russia and China. In addition, Darya and Tobias discuss the latest developments in the region and the nuclear talks.

In this episode, hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Qatar and Oman’s perspectives on Iran, its nuclear programme and regional security. Dr Andreas Krieg from King’s College London describes Qatar’s unique position in the region and explains how the country balances relations with Iran and its Arab neighbours. Turki al-Bulushi (Bloomberg) explains why neutrality is a core principle of Omani foreign policy, even in relations with its Gulf neighbours. Darya and Tobias also assess the latest developments in the region and the Iran nuclear talks.

Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss Bahrain and Kuwait’s perspectives on the Iranian nuclear question and on broader regional security matters. Hasan Alhasan, Research Fellow for Middle East Policy at IISS, explains why Bahrain feels threatened by Iran and is sceptical about a regional security dialogue, and Amnah Ibraheem, Visiting Scholar at the American University of Kuwait, outlines Kuwait’s unique position bordering both Saudi Arabia and Iran and its preference for multilateral diplomacy. Darya and Tobias also address the latest developments in the region.

Hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck discuss the Saudi Arabian strategic perspective with Mohammed Alyahya, former editor-in-chief of the Al-Arabiya English TV network. Mohammed outlines Saudi Arabia’s views on regional security, Iran and its nuclear programme, and explains why he is sceptical that a new nuclear deal can lead to improved relations between Iran and its Arab neighbours. Darya and Tobias also briefly discuss the latest developments in the nuclear negotiations and regional security.

In the first episode of 'Mind the Gulf', hosts Darya Dolzikova and Tobias Borck introduce the series and speak with Professor Nasser Hadian from the University of Tehran about Iranian views on regional security and the nuclear question. 

The podcast starts with Darya outlining the trajectory of international diplomacy around the Iranian nuclear programme and providing a quick backgrounder on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the ongoing negotiations in Vienna. Tobias then gives a brief overview of how the often tense relations between Iran and other states in the Gulf and the wider Middle East have shaped regional security for the past half century. Later in the episode, Professor Hadian outlines Iran's key concerns, its relationship with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states, and the interaction between Iran's foreign policy and its nuclear programme, as well as offering his thoughts on the future of the JCPOA.  

The podcast is part of RUSI's Iran in the Global Security Context project. To find out more about the project, click here.