(Institute for the Study of War)
US-Iran Negotiations: Any US-Iran deal that does not limit Iran’s ability to develop its ballistic missile program and support the Axis of Resistance would harm US interests in the Middle East. Iran’s insistence on continuing to develop its ballistic missile program and support the Axis of Resistance comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump on February 11, reportedly to urge Trump not to accept a deal with Iran that only addresses the nuclear issue.
The Iranian Regime’s Ongoing Securitization Efforts: The Iranian regime’s exacerbation of its population’s economic and sociocultural grievances increases the likelihood that protests will break out again. The regime’s ongoing securitization measures come as some Iranian university students have held demonstrations in recent days to protest Iranian security forces’ killing of university students during the recent protests and arrest of medical personnel who treated injured protesters.
Iranian Support for Nouri al Maliki as Iraqi Prime Minister Designate: Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al Haq head Qais al Khazali reportedly failed on February 10 to convince unspecified Iranian officials to abandon their support for State of Law Coalition head and former Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s nomination as Iraqi prime minister designate. Shia Coordination Framework leaders who oppose Maliki, including Khazali and National State Forces Alliance head Ammar al Hakim, likely sought for Iran to withdraw its support for Maliki after US and domestic opposition to Maliki failed to pressure the framework to nominate a new prime minister designate.
