What’s next for Iran?
VIEW EVENT DETAILSWith the implementation of the nuclear agreement in January this year and the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, Iran is poised to return to the world stage. Clearly, the country - with its young and well-educated population - is vying to restore its status as a regional powerhouse.
But a lot of uncertainty remains: The primary US embargo and secondary sanctions are still in force, and major financial institutions thus remain wary of re-engaging the Iranian market. Electoral calendars in both the US and Iran exacerbate doubts, as does Iran’s role in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and its rapidly escalating confrontation with Saudi Arabia.
Where does the country stand, and where is it going? What are its relations with its neighbors and the region? What impact will the result of the U.S. presidential elections on November 8 have? And what role can Switzerland play? Join us for a discussion of these and other questions with Philippe Welti, Former Swiss Ambassador to Iran, and Ali Vaez, Senior Iran Analyst at the Crisis Group based in Washington, D.C.
Philippe Welti was, during more than 30 years, alternating with positions at headquarters in Berne, official representative of Switzerland in various places in the world. Diplomatic postings as Ambassador in India and in Iran (where he was also in charge of US interests) and, during six years, Political Director with the Swiss Defence Ministry in Berne have given him a broad experience in international affairs.
Ali Vaez is Crisis Group's Senior Iran analyst. Consulting closely with all sides in the nuclear negotiations for the past few years, he led Crisis Group’s efforts in helping to bridge the gaps between Iran and the P5+1 and is renowned as one of the foremost experts on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Before joining Crisis Group, he headed the Iran project at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, DC. Trained as a scientist, Vaez has more than a decade of experience in journalism. He has written widely on Iranian affairs and is a regular contributor to mainstream media outlets.
Event Details
Salon Eden, Hotel Eden au Lac Utoquai 45, 8008 Zürich