Eye for Iran is a weekly podcast from Iran International that goes beyond headlines to explore key stories about Iran. Host Negar Mojtahedi conducts interviews, offers expert analysis, and presents in-depth investigations into developments within and around the country. The show focuses on issues that matter most to those following Iran's political and social landscape.
Episodes
Iran's regime celebrates Trump's defeat. Is Tehran making a fatal mistake? | Eye for Iran | EP 128 |
Tehran is celebrating Donald Trump's crushing midterm defeat. But what if the Islamic Republic has just made a dangerous miscalculation?Democrats have swept to victory, JD Vance is blaming Israel and the Iran war for Republican losses, and oil prices are plunging as markets bet on peace. Yet there is no ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, and one leading energy analyst now puts the
Israel’s next PM: Can they ‘finish the job’ in Iran? | Eye for Iran | EP 127 |
Is the Islamic Republic running out of time?Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged from a closely contested election promising to eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have dispatched senior officials to Tehran amid fears of another war. And in an exclusive interview with Iran International, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts Iran
Will Israel's election decide Iran's fate? | Eye for Iran | EP 126 |
Israel is days away from its first election since the October 7 attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he would bring down the Islamic Republic if he wins. Is that a policy pledge or election rhetoric? And if he loses, would his rivals pursue a different strategy toward Iran?On this episode of Eye for Iran, host Negar Mojtahedi brings together four experts speaking from Israel: Yaakov Kat
How Iran secretly built the Houthis — an insider reveals the playbook | Eye for Iran | EP 125 |
It began with an invitation to a conference in Lebanon. Young Yemeni activists believed they were going to discuss democracy and the Arab Spring. But behind the scenes, according to one of those involved in Yemen’s uprising, Hezbollah operatives were recruiting sympathizers for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Some would eventually travel to Tehran. Others would help build the Hout
Iran’s oil revenue could hit ZERO by December —first time in history | Eye for Iran | EP 124 |
Iran has survived revolution, war and decades of sanctions without losing its oil revenue entirely. That could change in December.For the first time in Iran's history, revenue from crude oil and condensate exports could fall to ZERO by mid-December if the US blockade continues, according to new analysis from Kpler. The Islamic Republic stands to lose as much as $6 billion a month. But will unprece
Is Iran becoming North Korea — or can society stop it? | Eye for Iran | EP 123 |
Are we witnessing the “North Koreanization” of the Islamic Republic of Iran?From the growing presence of Basij paramilitary forces in elementary schools to the sentencing of musicians and the accelerating use of executions against those detained in connection with January’s uprising, repression inside Iran appears to be intensifying. Just this week, two protesters detained following the January un
Trump has Iran cornered. So what is he waiting for? | Eye for Iran | EP 122 |
President Donald Trump has subjected Iran to extraordinary military and economic pressure. Its leadership has been battered, its economy squeezed, its oil trade disrupted and its regional network weakened. Yet the Islamic Republic remains in power — and Washington has yet to translate that pressure into a clear political outcome.So what is Trump waiting for?This week on Eye for Iran, former US dip
Twins sentenced in Iran: one to death, one to prison | Eye for Iran | EP 121 |
They were 19 when they took to the streets. They turned 20 behind bars. Now one twin has been sentenced to death — and the other to decades in prison.Taraneh and Romina Rahimi joined Iran’s January uprising in Isfahan. Their cousin, Masoud Nourmohammadi, says the sisters were tortured and forced to confess. Taraneh now faces execution, while Romina has been sentenced to decades behind bars. As the
Iranians turn on the regime as fear wanes: Is the ‘hour of freedom’ near? | Eye for Iran | EP 120 |
Can the Islamic Republic survive a deepening economic crisis, growing resistance at home and a war with the United States?On this week’s episode of Eye for Iran, British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili and Iran International’s Arash Sohrabi examine the dark humor spreading across Iran as people struggling to afford basic necessities publicly mock the regime and turn its own language of fear against
Why Iran is turning to sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz | Eye for Iran | EP 119 |
Iran is still striking back — but is Tehran choosing smaller attacks, or are its military options narrowing?Former CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel, now a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, and Farzin Nadimi, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, examine why Iran is turning to sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, what it reveals about its remaining
Oil is flowing through Hormuz again. But not for Iran | Eye for Iran | EP 118 |
Iran’s oil revenues could effectively fall to zero within months if the US blockade holds, according to Kpler senior oil analyst Homayoun Falakshahi.On this episode of Eye for Iran, Falakshahi and former US Treasury OFAC official Max Meizlish examine Washington’s expanding economic pressure campaign, China’s crucial role in buying Iranian oil, the financial networks running through Hong Kong and D
Iran’s crackdown risks creating a generation dependent on opioids | Eye for Iran | EP 117 |
Could Iran’s crackdown leave behind a generation with permanent disabilities and dependent on opioids for chronic pain? Dr. Sarah Raza, a trauma physician helping wounded protesters inside Iran, has documented hundreds of metal pellets embedded in victims’ bodies, including a six-year-old with pellets lodged in his face and skull. Her warning: “This is making someone’s body a prison.”Iran feels th
How Iran is preparing for a domestic war against its own people | Eye for Iran | EP 116 |
The war with Iran was supposed to change the equation.But before bombs fall, before presidents decide on war and peace, and before negotiators ever sit across from one another, there is intelligence.So what does someone who spent decades trying to understand Iran from inside the CIA see happening next?Eye for Iran’s Negar Mojtahedi spoke with Mark Fowler, a decorated former CIA case officer and Fa
Bombs won't break Iran's regime, but money might | Eye for Iran | EP 115 |
Can financial pressure succeed where military strikes cannot?For months, the debate over Iran has focused on bombs, missiles and airstrikes. But what if the Islamic Republic's greatest vulnerability isn't military at all?In this episode of Eye for Iran, I sit down with Roger Macmillan, Counterterrorism and Security Specialist, and Miad Maleki, Senior US Sanctions Strategist, FDD Fellow and former
'Iran's executions are murders,' former UN prosecutor says | Eye for Iran | EP 114 |
Industrial cranes are meant to build cities. In Iran, they are increasingly being used as gallows.The public hanging of Amirhossein Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi in Isfahan has become a symbol of Iran's escalating execution campaign.As the world focuses on war, Iran is accelerating executions—prompting growing concern among human rights advocates and legal experts.In this episode of Eye for Iran, Pro
Are US strikes laying the groundwork for a wider Iran war? | Eye for Iran | EP 113 |
What is the United States really trying to achieve with its expanding military campaign inside Iran?As US strikes move deeper into Iran, targeting military sites, logistics networks and critical infrastructure, many are asking: What is Washington's endgame? At the same time, executions inside Iran are accelerating as the world's attention remains fixed on the war, while Gulf states brace for what
Why are US strikes moving deeper into Iran? | Eye for Iran | EP 112 |
Why are US strikes moving deeper into southern Iran—and what is Washington really trying to achieve?As attacks hit bridges, transport links and facilities around Bandar Abbas and Chabahar, the conflict appears to be entering a more dangerous phase. At the same time, a leaked Iranian presidency report reveals record public anger, while new economic data shows that barely 37 percent of working-age I
Is the Iran-US MoU dead—or working exactly as intended? | Eye for Iran | EP 111 |
Just weeks after Washington and Tehran agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), commercial vessels are under attack, the Strait of Hormuz is back in the headlines and President Trump says the agreement is over.But what if everyone is asking the wrong question?Was the Iran-US MoU ever meant to deliver peace—or was it designed to manage conflict while both sides pursued their own strategic goa
The Islamic Republic's next battle is internal | Eye for Iran Ep. 110
Something has shifted inside Tehran.Not because the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is about to disappear—but because members of Iran's establishment are openly debating ideas that would have been politically unthinkable just months ago.The war may be over—for now. But inside Tehran, the battle over the Islamic Republic's future is only beginning.Who is gaining ground? Is the Islamic Repu
Trump's Iran MoU explained: how Iran gets billions—and why | Eye for Iran 109
The new US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) could unlock tens of billions of dollars for Tehran and fundamentally reshape Iran's economic and political future. Host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with former US Treasury sanctions official Max Meizlish, economist Mohamad Machine-Chian, former US military intelligence officer Michael Pregent, and Iran analyst Omid Memarian to explain what the agreemen
The Iran-US MoU explained: what it means for Iranian people | Eye for Iran 108
Did the new US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding hand Tehran a major victory?In this episode of Eye for Iran, host Negar Mojtahedi breaks down the controversial MOU with former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker, who argues the agreement delivers significant benefits to the Islamic Republic while leaving major questions unanswered on Iran's nuclear program, ball
Arab world losing the Mideast, experts say | Eye for Iran 106
As Lebanon becomes central to Iran’s conditions for a broader US-Iran deal, this episode of Eye for Iran asks what the war has really changed — and what comes next.Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a veteran US Middle East negotiator, says Iran is using Lebanon to pressure both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, trying to establish a new equa
Can Trump crack Iran’s delay-and-negotiate playbook? Eye for Iran 106
For decades, Iran has frustrated presidents, diplomats, and negotiators. Has it finally met its match?In Episode 106 of Eye for Iran, we examine the strategy, pressure and power dynamics shaping the latest standoff between Washington and Tehran—and whether Donald Trump is succeeding where previous administrations fell short.Former US diplomat Alberto Fernandez, United Against Nuclear Iran Policy D
Can Trump crack Iran’s delay-and-negotiate playbook? Eye for Iran 106
For decades, Iran has frustrated presidents, diplomats, and negotiators. Has it finally met its match?In Episode 106 of Eye for Iran, we examine the strategy, pressure and power dynamics shaping the latest standoff between Washington and Tehran—and whether Donald Trump is succeeding where previous administrations fell short.Former US diplomat Alberto Fernandez, United Against Nuclear Iran Policy D
Is Trump giving Iran's regime a lifeline? Eye for Iran 105
Is a new US-Iran deal on the horizon—or is Tehran being thrown a lifeline at one of the most vulnerable moments in its history?As reports of renewed negotiations intensify, major questions remain. Is the Islamic Republic negotiating from a position of weakness or strength? Has Iran emerged damaged by war and economic pressure, or can its leadership still claim victory?Host Negar Mojtahedi is joine
Will a US deal with Tehran save the regime? | Eye for Iran | EP 104 |
Is Iran heading toward a nuclear deal — or another war?As negotiations intensify, Tehran is threatening to expand the conflict beyond the Middle East while Israel remains on high alert. But behind the headlines lies a much bigger story: Iran’s growing attempt to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a geopolitical toll booth.In this episode of Eye for Iran, Negar Mojtahedi is joined by former U.S. State
Can Iran’s Economy Survive the Internet Blackout and Economic Fury? | Eye for Iran 103
In episode 103 of Eye for Iran, Mohamad Machine-Chian is filling in for Negar Mojtahedi. In this episode, Holly Dagres, senior fellow at Washington Institute discusses the continued internet blackout in Iran. Operation Epic Fury may be over but Operation Economic Fury is just getting started. Siamak Javadi, from Texas University explains what's next for Iran’s economy.#iraninternational #Iraninte
The price of oil and the future of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues. Can Tehran weaponize Hormuz for years to come? Are Iranian oil fields nearing the point of no return? In episode 102 of Eye for Iran, two energy experts assess the potential scenarios ahead.#Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال
Canada let Iran football chief linked to IRGC in — then got caught | Eye for Iran | EP 101|
An Iran International exclusive has triggered a political firestorm in Ottawa — after Mehdi Taj, Iran’s football chief and a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence commander, was granted entry into Canada despite being legally inadmissible under the country’s own terrorist designation.Taj was issued a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) — a rare override used to bypass national s
Tehran turns on itself as Iran’s regime fractures | Eye for Iran | EP 100 |
Veteran journalist Eli Lake of The Free Press and host of the Breaking History podcast joins Eye for Iran to discuss real fractures inside Iran’s regime, why Tehran’s leadership may be turning on itself and how internal power struggles could eventually bring down the Islamic Republic from within. Lake says Iran’s rulers now need a deal more than Washington does, and argues any negotiations should
Iran war: ceasefire holds, Strait of Hormuz reopens — what now? | Eye for Iran | EP 99 |
A fragile ceasefire may be holding between the United States and Iran — but is the war really over, or just paused?As the Strait of Strait of Hormuz reopens after weeks of disruption, new questions are emerging about the true impact of the conflict: who’s actually winning, how much pressure the Islamic Republic is under, and whether this moment leads to a deal — or another round of escalation.On t
Iran-US ceasefire: pause before escalation or deal? | Eye for Iran | EP 98 |
A fragile ceasefire appears to be in place between Iran and the United States, but is it really a ceasefire, or simply a brief pause before a new phase of conflict?In this episode of Eye for Iran, former CIA analyst and former National Security Council director Ken Pollack explains why he believes both sides may not have agreed to the same terms, and why the current moment could still lead to rene
UAE hits Iran’s economic lifeline | Decoding Trump’s speech | Special report| Eye for Iran | EP 97 |
The UAE’s arrest of dozens linked to the IRGC’s sanctions-evasion network could mark one of the biggest blows yet to Tehran’s economic lifeline. Former U.S. Treasury sanctions strategist Miad Maleki, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Research Director Daniel Roth, and Iran International senior economic journalist Mohammad Machine-chian break down what this could cost the regime — and whether it c
Iran just proved its reach — how much further will this war go? | Eye for Iran | EP 96 |
A war already underway — now entering a more dangerous phase.We begin with Iran’s reported strike toward Diego Garcia — a moment that signals something critical: this threat is no longer abstract. It is real.Defense experts Farzin Nadimi of The Washington Institute and Janatan Sayeh of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) break down what this reveals about Iran’s capabilities — from vas
The call for another uprising in Iran is near, Israeli security insider says| Eye for Iran | EP 95 |
“It’s a matter of weeks.”That is Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi’s message on what may come next in Iran. The Israeli security insider and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum says conditions could soon be in place for Iranians to rise up safely against the Islamic Republic. But, he says, Israel and the US would first assess whether those conditions had truly been met — and would
Inside Iran: Basij strikes, purported message & voices from Tehran | Eye for Iran | EP 94 |
The war against the Islamic Republic may be entering a new phase after Israeli drone strikes targeted Basij checkpoints in Tehran. The Basij — a paramilitary force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — has long been responsible for carrying out repression and violently suppressing protests across Iran. In this episode of Eye for Iran, John Hannah, who served in senior foreign policy po
Iran's regime needs to be "removed from power", says Ted Cruz | Eye for Iran | EP 93 |
Senator Ted Cruz joins Eye for Iran as the United States and Israel intensify their campaign against the Islamic Republic. In this episode, Cruz lays out what he sees as the objective of the war, whether regime change is now on the horizon, what victory would look like, and whether limited U.S. ground engagement is possible.Host Negar Mojtahedi also speaks with Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation
EU lawmaker to Iran's regime: “Your time is up” | Eye for Iran | EP 92 |
"Your time is up.”A senior European lawmaker from Malta delivers a direct message to Tehran on this episode of Eye for Iran. Daniel Attard — Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iran — calls for tougher action against the Islamic Republic following its deadly crackdown on protesters, urging Europe to expel Iranian diplomats, ha
Iran Massacre: “a final bullet in hospital,” says father of slain teen | Eye for Iran | EP 91
Seventeen-year-old Sam Afshari was wounded during Iran’s January protests and taken to a hospital in Karaj, where doctors were trying to save his life. According to his father, Parviz Afshari, security forces entered the room while a breathing tube was still in his mouth — and fired a final, fatal shot.On this episode of Eye for Iran, we speak with Sam’s father, who is now calling for justice — an
'A plea for help': why are Iranian people watching the skies?| Eye for Iran | EP 90
A high stakes week in Washington raises one question: are we watching “good cop bad cop” diplomacy that is really a prelude to military strikes on the Islamic Republic? After President Donald Trump meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US military deployments intensify, Dr. Eric Mandel, founder and director of MEPIN (Middle East Political and Information Network), and Ambassador John Craig,
“Day of infamy” and why the regime can’t kill its way out | Eye for Iran | EP 89
“You cannot kill your way out of this.”That is how Iranian-American historian Abbas Milani describes the Islamic Republic’s response to Iran’s latest uprising, a crackdown he calls unprecedented in modern Iranian history.In this episode of Eye for Iran, Milani explains why mass killing and mass arrests have exposed the regime’s political death rather than restoring control. Drawing on new research
Are US strikes now imminent? | Eye for Iran | EP 88
As President Donald Trump issues a final warning to Tehran and US military assets appear to be moving into place, a defining question emerges: are targeted strikes against the Islamic Republic now around the corner?In this special edition of Eye for Iran, Negar Mojtahedi is joined by four crucial voices as Iran faces an unprecedented moment of crisis and possibility.Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus anal
Iran is bleeding: Will the world act now? | Eye for Iran | EP 87
As Iran’s streets turn into killing fields, the debate in Washington is no longer theoretical. Eye for Iran examines the Islamic Republic’s escalating violence against civilians under a near total digital blackout and asks the most urgent question yet: what will the world do now?Michael Makovsky, President and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), and Blaise Misztal
Inside Iran's killing spree: eyewitness speaks out | Eye for Iran | EP 86
An eyewitness who recently fled Iran and whose identity is being withheld for his safety recounts indiscriminate gunfire that turned city streets into a battlefield. He says he saw thousands of bodies stored at a cemetery as families searched for missing loved ones during a nationwide digital blackout.He is risking his life to speak out and send a message to the world that the killings are still o
Iran on the brink of a revolution: is this the moment? | Eye for Iran | EP 85
A wounded protester in Iran puts it starkly: “I’m not scared. For 47 years, I’ve been dead.”As protests spread across the country and chants turn openly existential, this special episode of Eye for Iran asks the question many are now asking: is Iran approaching a revolution? Is this the moment?Negar Mojtahedi is joined by former UK Security Minister and Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat, former s
"Mullahs must get lost": Iran protests threaten to topple the theocracy | Eye for Iran | EP 84
Chants of “Mullahs must get lost” are spreading across Iran six days after a collapsing currency and shuttered bazaars triggered the largest nationwide protests since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom movement. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship has evolved into a nationwide uprising directly targeting the Supreme Leader, posing one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocracy i
Iran 2025: crisis without collapse —Israel, accountability & YouTube creators | Eye for Iran | EP 83
Iran exits 2025 under visible strain. Direct confrontation with Israel, setbacks to Tehran’s proxy network, and rising domestic pressure have shaken the regime — but not toppled it.In this Eye for Iran special, Avi Melamed, Jay Solomon, and Dr. Shahram Kholdi explain what really changed inside Iran, what didn’t, and the biggest risks heading into 2026 — including potential renewed conflict between
Drought to Flooding, Travel Ban on Iranians and Mass Arrests in Iran | Eye for Iran | EP 82
Iran's convergence of crises is upending people's lives both inside and outside the country.On this episode of Eye for Iran, we examine three developments you need to understand right now. Environmental researcher and hydraulic structures expert Roozbeh Eskandari explains how Iran can go from severe drought to destructive flooding, why these extremes are driven by mismanagement rather than nature
Why the Islamic Republic endures despite discontent | Eye for Iran | EP 81
Former CIA analyst and National Security Council director Kenneth Pollack joins Eye for Iran to explain why he believes Iran has been in a “pre-revolutionary state” for years, why revolutions succeed only when regimes lose the will or capacity to use force and how Khamenei’s eventual succession could reshape everything.Then, Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) bre
Iran’s cultural explosion: is it real or state controlled? | Eye for Iran | EP 80
This week on Eye for Iran, we look at Iran through three connected lenses: history, culture, and a society that some say is transforming in real time.First, Ambassador John Limbert – one of the American diplomats taken hostage in 1979 – reflects on what he witnessed in the early days of the revolution, how the Islamic Republic has (and hasn’t) changed over five decades, and why the hostility betwe
Iran wary of US push in Venezuela | IRGC cyber leak & child marriage probe | Eye for Iran | EP 79
The United States has launched one of its most visible military deployments in years off the coast of Venezuela — a major operation aimed at narco-terror networks and the Maduro government. Retired four-star General Joseph Votel joins Eye for Iran to explain how decisions like this are made, what Washington’s posture actually signals, and why moves in the Caribbean inevitably carry an indirect mes
Would Iran race toward the bomb? | Eye for Iran | EP 78
Iran says it is ready to talk to the United States on its own terms and has paused uranium enrichment after US and Israeli strikes. At the same time Tehran is allegedly building a secret enrichment site at Pickaxe Mountain and blocking inspectors. This while a leaked UN watchdog report shows there is no clear oversight of its 60 percent enriched uranium - enough for around ten nuclear weapons.In t
Iran’s water crisis, Israel–Iran tensions and Syria’s new direction | Eye for Iran | EP 77
Iran is confronting one of the most serious environmental and geopolitical turning points in its modern history. In this edition of Eye for Iran, three critical conversations reveal how quickly conditions are shifting and what may come next for the region.The episode opens with Dr. Kaveh Madani, former senior Iranian environmental official and now head of the United Nations University Institute fo
From guns to votes? Iran's plan in Iraq and why it matters | Eye for Iran | EP 76
Tehran is allegedly urging its Shia militias in Iraq to swap guns for ballots in a shift that could reshape Baghdad’s power balance and test Washington’s resolve. “Iraq may become, in a very odd way, the Achilles heel of the Trump administration,” said historian Dr Shahram Kholdi on Eye for Iran. Jay Solomon, author of the Iran Wars, said that while Tehran is “on its back foot,” it remains “commit
A free Palestine would undermine Tehran’s power, Gaza activists say | Eye for Iran | EP 75
Two Gaza-born activists tell Eye for Iran that Tehran’s support for Hamas has not only prolonged Palestinian suffering but also strengthened hardliners in Israel. Khalil Sayegh, now based in Washington DC, and Hamza Howidy, who fled Gaza in 2023, argue that Iran has used Palestinians as pawns to justify its regional ambitions. They say a free and independent Palestine would strip the Islamic Repub
War fears and viral scandal: Iran faces upheaval inside and out | Eye for Iran | EP 74
Former Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Oren tells Eye for Iran that Tehran’s growing isolation and lessons it drew from the recent 12-day war could make it a more formidable opponent. “Iran feels cornered,” Oren warns, “and that’s when nations become most dangerous.”Oren discusses Iran’s evolving military tactics, Israel’s decision to agree to a ceasefire and why he believes the po
Ex-Israeli intel officer: Iran–Israel war ‘almost imminent’ | Eye for Iran | EP 73
Former Israeli intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz tells Eye for Iran a new and far deadlier conflict between Israel and Iran is “almost imminent.”Citrinowicz says both sides wrongly believe they “won” the last war — a miscalculation that makes another, even more violent escalation inevitable. He warns the United States is still chasing a deal while Israel aims to weaken or topple the clerical
Why some hardliners in Iran want to keep sanctions in place | Eye for Iran | EP 72
Oil sanctions were meant to throttle Iran’s revenue but have instead enriched its elite.Eurasia Group Iran and oil analyst Greg Brew joins Negar Mojtahedi to explain how Iran keeps selling over a million barrels of barrels a day through shadow networks which profit wildly from the murky trade.We also explore China’s role in sustaining Iran’s oil industry and shadowy tycoons like Babak Zanjani, who
Iran sanctions snapback heralds suffering, possible war | Eye for Iran | EP 71
International sanctions renewed on Tehran over the weekend are already making life harder for ordinary Iranians and may signal an impasse that could lead to renewed war, experts told Iran International’s podcast Eye for Iran.In this Eye for Iran episode, host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with economist Mahdi Ghodsi and analyst Holly Dagres to break down what may lie ahead.Subscribe to Eye for Iran for e
UNGA Special: After snapback, will the US declare victory too soon? | Eye for Iran | EP 70
From the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Eye for Iran asks: Are we moving closer to war with Iran? At the center of this year’s agenda is Tehran’s nuclear program and the enforcement of snapback sanctions.Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies explains what snapback really means for Iran. Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon weighs in on whether diplomacy is enough
Arash Sobhani on Mahsa Amini & Iran’s viral concerts: propaganda or progress? | Eye for Iran | EP 69
Musician Arash Sobhani (Kiosk) joins journalist Negar Mojtahedi on Eye for Iran to unpack the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini, the paradox of joy under repression, and why “hope misled us.”From women discarding compulsory hijab at Tehran concerts, to trust, honesty, and unity in the Iranian opposition, Sobhani asks whether joy itself can be resistance — or if it risks being used as propaganda.Wat
US attack on Iran was sound but talks must win peace, ex-US diplomat says | Eye for Iran | EP 68
US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites forestalled their potential push toward a bomb but a deal must be reached to guarantee Tehran will not go nuclear, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin told Iran International. #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال
Nuclear crisis looms: expert warns Iran sanctions snapback could spark war | Eye for Iran | EP 67
Nicole Grajewski of the Carnegie Endowment joins Eye for Iran this week to warn that Europe’s move to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran through the so-called "snapback" mechanism could push Tehran to quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — and give Israel justification for new strikes. With uranium stockpiles near weapons-grade and US diplomacy on the sidelines, is a nuclear crisis inevitab
Shirin Ebadi: “We are moving closer to end of Islamic Republic” | Eye for Iran | EP 65
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi says Iran is heading toward collapse — with daily executions, economic freefall, and widespread shortages of water and electricity. In this Eye for Iran interview, she explains why reform is impossible, why Western governments have failed Iranians, and how the people themselves can bring about peaceful regime change through unity, nationwide strikes, and a U
Awakening from nightmare: Iran’s future beyond the Islamic Republic | Eye for Iran | EP 65 |
Stanford professor and historian Abbas Milani says the Islamic Republic's real opposition is not abroad but inside the country — women walking unveiled, teachers refusing propaganda, and artists reimagining history. Calling the Islamic Republic a “cancer” and a “totalitarian nightmare,” Milani insists Iran’s resilience points to a brighter future as people have woken from that nightmare. “Iranian
Israel now calls the shots on Iran as US steps back, ex-negotiator says | Eye for Iran | EP 64 |
Alan Eyre, who served as an Iran nuclear negotiator under Barack Obama, says the Trump administration has effectively ceded control of the Iran portfolio to Israel following joint strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities — a shift he warns could fuel a more dangerous phase, with 400 kilograms of enriched uranium still unaccounted for and Iran’s weakened leadership more resolved to go nuclear.Watch t
Iran regime change 'a matter of when not if', ex-US official says | Eye for Iran | EP 63 |
Former US State Department official Len Khodorkovsky tells Eye for Iran that Tehran’s newly activated National Defense Council is “pure theater” — a desperate bid to project strength as the Islamic Republic faces collapse. Comparing the move to “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic,” he says Iran’s downfall is inevitable and only a matter of time. Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on
Iran’s water crisis is real and deliberately engineered, says climatologist | Eye for Iran | EP 62 |
Taps are dry. Water barely reaches the second floor. Families endure days without water in brutal summer heat—while the Iranian government holds the solution.In this week's episode of Eye for Iran, climatologist Dr. Nasser Karami exposes how Iran’s water crisis is not just environmental—it’s political. While officials warn that Tehran could run out of water within weeks, Karami explains this is a
Israel’s strikes may be helping Iran regain power in Syria, expert warns | Eye for Iran | EP 61 |
Israel says its strikes in Syria are meant to protect the country’s Druze minority—but they may be creating an opening for Iran. University of Ottawa professor and former Canadian defense analyst Thomas Juneau warns that by weakening Syria’s fragile central government, Israel risks reviving Tehran’s old influence networks tied to the fallen Assad regime. “They are not all dead,” he told Eye for Ir
Is Iran in a post-Khamenei future already | Eye for Iran | Ep 60 |
For decades, the Islamic Republic sought to erase Iran’s pre-Islamic identity. Now, it’s embracing it. From Cyrus the Great murals to patriotic songs at Shia ceremonies, Tehran is reviving the very nationalism it once suppressed—and experts tell Eye for Iran this shift could signal more than desperation.Could the Islamic Republic's embrace of Persian pride reshape the state—or even lay the groundw
Eye for Iran | Ep 59 | Same goal, different war: are Trump and Netanyahu divided on Iran?
Trump talks peace, Netanyahu warns of war. But are they really divided? Michael Doran, a former White House official and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, joins Eye for Iran with rare insight from inside Blair House, where Israeli and US officials are keeping quiet while strategy is shaped behind closed doors. From covert strikes to rhetorical sleight of hand, this episode unpacks the illusio
Eye for Iran | Ep 58 | John Bolton: "The surrender of the Ayatollahs"
Is this the beginning of the end for Iran’s ruling regime? Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton joins Eye for Iran to unpack Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, the controversial ceasefire, and why he believes now was the time to finish the job.Bolton argues the ceasefire was a mistake that gave Iran breathing room just when the Islamic Republic was most vulnerable. He says Trump i
Eye for Iran | Ep 57 | Where is the 900 pounds of Iran’s enriched uranium?
The threat of a nuclear Iran remains despite US and Israeli strikes crippling key nuclear sites, Olli Heinonen, the former Deputy Director General of the IAEA, told Eye for Iran.Around 400 kilograms—more than 900 pounds—of 60% enriched uranium is unaccounted for. Until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms its location, the risk remains high, Heinonen warned, because the material
Eye for Iran | Ep 56 | Iran will lose war and nuclear program, former Iran envoy says
Former US Iran envoy Elliott Abrams tells Eye for Iran that Tehran’s nuclear program is doomed—whether through force or negotiation. He explains why Trump’s two-week warning is a deliberate psychological tactic, what role Israel plays, and how Fordow could be targeted in a US strike. Abrams also reveals who’s really in Trump’s inner circle—and why time is running out for Iran.Watch the full interv
Eye for Iran | Ep 55 | ‘Rising Lion’ operation took years to prepare, says Israeli minister
Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli tells Eye for Iran that the massive military operation against Iran—code-named “Rising Lion”—was years in the making and is just the beginning.“This is the time to seize the moment,” says Chikli, urging Iranians to rise against the Islamic Republic. Following Israeli airstrikes that killed top Iranian commanders and hit key nuclear facilities, Iran launched over 200
Eye for Iran | Ep 54 | US should help Syria curb Iran influence, Rep. Mills says
In this exclusive episode of Eye for Iran, Congressman Cory Mills reveals what he learned during his high-stakes trip to Damascus—becoming the first US lawmaker to meet Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.Mills says Syria’s new leadership is moving fast to dismantle Iran’s regional grip—expelling proxy militias, restricting Hezbollah arms routes, and seeking d
Eye for Iran | Ep 53 | Truckers' strike: is it the spark that could shift Iran's future?
Truckers across Iran are refusing to drive—shutting down ports, blocking highways, and squeezing the economy. But this isn’t just about fuel hikes or wages. It’s a nationwide cry for dignity—and it’s gaining traction fast.Joining host Negar Mojtahedi on Eye for Iran is Nazanin Afshin-Jam, a prominent human rights activist; Alireza Nader, an Iran analyst and former senior researcher at the RAND Cor
Eye for Iran | Ep 52 | Trump’s message to Iran: join the future—or be left behind
In this gripping episode of Eye for Iran, former Palestinian peace negotiator Ghaith al-Omari joins to unpack President Donald Trump’s game-changing Persian Gulf tour. As Saudi Arabia and the UAE race toward prosperity, Iran is stuck in decline—and the message from Washington is clear: change, or be sidelined. Al-Omari draws a stark contrast between future-focused Arab states and Tehran’s ideology
Eye for Iran | Ep 51 | Hijab surveillance, human rights & Iran’s future
Iranian women are being tracked by AI and punished by text. In this gripping episode of Eye for Iran, international human rights lawyer Gissou Nia exposes how the Islamic Republic is using surveillance tech to crack down on women—and what can still be done to hold regime officials accountable. From hijab enforcement to universal jurisdiction, justice for atrocity crimes, and how a future transitio
Eye for Iran | Ep 50 | Is Trump giving Iran the upper hand?
Trump’s surprise ceasefire with the Houthis caught the Pentagon—and Israel—off guard. What does this signal about US-Israel ties, Iran’s leverage over its proxies, and the future of Trump’s Middle East policy? Eye for Iran brings together top experts Fatima Abo Alasrar, Avi Melamed, Gregory Brew, and Zineb Riboua to unpack what’s really behind the Houthi pause, Iran’s influence, and whether Israel
