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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 1d

It is October 7, and my new article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social reviews what it means in terms of the #Trump administration's nuclear policy on #Iran and #Israel: "Perils of Nuclear Talks After The US-Israel War on Iran": lnkd.in/gEbVygy3

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Reposted by Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش

Middle East Policy Council @mideastpolicy.bsky.social · 2d

Middle East Policy marks October 7 with a special issue providing insights into which aspects of Trump 20-point plan have any chance. Featuring @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social
@ianlustick.bsky.social
@zivguy.bsky.social
Chas W. Freeman Jr.
and many others

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1...

The October 7 Emergencies: Middle East Policy

Click on the title to browse this issue

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 14d

I argue for
@mideastpolicy.bsky.social

Iran is unable to autonomously shape the debate to build a #nuclear #weapon, due to lack of #elite consensus on the issue. In similar fashion, to maintain elite consensus, a requirement for regime survival, it will retain the option to weaponize.

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 14d

Iran's Pezeshkian says UN General Assembly, his country does not seek to weaponize. To see if an inward-looking regime is more likely to seek to build nuclear weapons, read my latest analysis for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social : "The Perils of Nuclear Talks"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 14d

Iran's Pezeshkian says UN General Assembly, his country does not seek to weaponize. To see if an inward-looking regime is more likely to seek to build nuclear weapons, read my latest analysis for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social : "The Perils of Nuclear Talks"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 16d

Over 70 Iranian MoPs call for revising supreme leader's fatwa banning use of nuclear #weapons. They urge for building the weapon. For history of the fatwa & debates leading by 1998 to building nuclear weapons knowhow, see my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 19d

Hezbollah calls on Saudi Arabia to unite, tapping into the group's influence over the Gulf Shias, support for #Palestine & a pan-Arab sentiments opposed to the #AbrahamAccords. My book chapter on #SaudiIsrael details how Riyadh navigates these terrains. www.reuters.com/world/middle...

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 19d

Western powers win over #Iran bid to delay #UNSC snapback sanctions. For Iran's nuclear dealings with the West, #Russia, #China, #India, see my book: "The World Powers and Iran: Before, During and After the Nuclear Deal":

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 20d

"In June, #Israel launched a preventive war against Iran. While Benjamin #Netanyahu declared his intention as destroying Tehran’s nuclear & ballistic-missile capabilities, the war aim began to shift toward regime change"-my piece @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1475...

Middle East Policy

Click on the title to browse this journal

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 22d

Writing @mideastpolicy.bsky.social I show how Tehran's "end of time" ideology drives a #nuclear program: "Mahdi represents a utopian quest for justice, if need be thru a nuclear program, even if it means persistent struggles in earthly dealings with the US".
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1 1

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 23d

US @secrubio.govpeeps.us says at press conf with PM Netanyahu max pressure on Iran continues till it changes behavior. My piece published @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
shows why & how Iran will respond to change America's position: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.state.gov/releases/202...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Joint Press Availability - United States Department of State

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Mr. Secretary, Marco, your visit to our eternal and undivided capital, Jerusalem, is a powerful, powerful affirmation of a powerful bond. We stand in a time of immense chal...

www.state.gov

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 23d

US Energy Sec Wright says at the IAEA Iran's enrichment program must be completely dismantled. My piece published @mideastpolicy.bsky.social explains root cause of why Iran ignores the demand, "The Perils of Nuclear Talks":
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

www.reuters.com/world/china/...

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1

Reposted by Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش

Middle East Policy Council @mideastpolicy.bsky.social · 23d

Early View of Fall 2025 issue examines dehumanization in Gaza, what’s next after the US-Israel war on Iran, pan-Arab corporate elite, regional trade and conflict. Analyses by Yagil Levy, @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, @hannesbaumann.bsky.social, many others.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...

Middle East Policy: Vol 0, No 0

Click on the title to browse this issue

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 25d

My article provides two important analytical sections, on #lessons to guide the #US and #West on future nuclear talks with Iran, and on the future of the non-proliferation regime based on the Iranian nuclear experience.

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 25d

Based on firsthand interviews, my piece demonstrates when and why Iran proceeded to decide to build the knowhow for #nuclear #weapons. It then narrates the #hadith that bars the use of those weapons, based on a battlefield ruling by the Prophet Muhammad against use of mass poison

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 25d

My piece highlights the story behind the supreme leader's #fatwa, based on interviews, banning the use of nuclear weapons but not the knowhow to acquire one. This helps the leader retain elite consensus b/c the majority of #Shia clerics argue that the use of #WMDs violate Sharia.

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 25d

Tipping itself against perceived #Western elite hegemony to control its nuclear program, Iran's counter-hegemonic elite consensus process focuses on #religious and #ideational indoctrination to maintain the ranks and fight back.

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 25d

My piece argues that elite consensus in Iran is to buy time to retain and build up a strong #nuclear program, no matter the consequence. It shows the reason behind and the process by which #elite consensus is built.

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 25d

Open access link to my latest piece for
@MidEastPolicy

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After US-Israel War on Iran
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran

In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 28d

I am extremely honored to return to The Commonwealth Club of California @cwclub, as Chair of the Member-Led Middle East Forum.
www.commonwealthclub.org/member-led-f...

Member-Led Forums & Chapters | Commonwealth Club World Affairs

www.commonwealthclub.org

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 29d

The new "modalities" deal b/w Iran-hashtag#IAEA remains vague and loose. Iran says it will break the deal if attacked. My forthcoming piece @mideastpolicy.bsky.social details what's at the root of the problem, entitled:
"Perils of Nuclear Talks with Iran after the US-Israel War"
lnkd.in/g7gXk24Q

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

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Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 29d

At the #stupa in #Nepal #Kathmandu

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · 29d

I was recently in #Nepal. It was in shambles, worse than a failed state as though there was no "state" no "government", run by the will and wit of its good people. I wish them well. No clean air or water, in land of the mighty #Himalayas!
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09...

Live Updates: Parliament Burns in Nepal as Protests Force Prime Minister to Quit

www.nytimes.com

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · Sep 8

Link to video of the #Catholic #Shia #Dialogue Series I had the honor to co-lead with Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds at the Ansari Institute on Global Engagement with Religion at the University of Notre Dame, on:
"A dialogue on #geopolitical tensions"
ansari.nd.edu/conference/c...

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · Sep 8

Link to video of the #Catholic #Shia #Dialogue Series I had the honor to co-lead with Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds at the Ansari Institute on Global Engagement with Religion at the University of Notre Dame, on:
"A dialogue on #gender"
ansari.nd.edu/conference/c...

Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · Sep 8

Link to video of the #Catholic #Shia #Dialogue I had the honor to co-lead with dr. @GabrielSaidR @AnsariUND @NotreDame on:
"A dialogue on dialogues among civilizations"
ansari.nd.edu/conference/c...