The joint virtual session between the Institute for Political and International Studies(IPIS) and the International Crisis Group was held on Wednesday ,  December 16 , 2020. The session was hosted by the Studies center and revolved around the regional and international subjects. The speakers at the session included: Dr.Mohammad KazemSajjadpour, Deputy Minister of MOFA & President of IPIS;  Kambiz Sheikh Hassani ,Javad Kachoueian, and Vahid Karimi, Senior Research Fellows , IPIS; Ali Khoshroo, Former Iranian Ambassador to UN; Keyhan Barzegar, Director, Center for Middle East Strategic Studies and University Professor at International Studies; Joost Hiltermann, MENA program Director,ICG; Ali Vaez, Senior Political Affairs Officer, UN DPPA;, Elham Fakhro, Senior Persian Gulf analyst,ICG; Azadeh Moaveni, Gender Project Director, ICG; Richard Atwood, Chief of policy, ICG.

Discussed at the session were the JCPOA subject and the European countries’ obligations for maintaining the agreement and the impacts of Biden’s taking office on the future of the JCPOA. Also it was stated that one year after Trump’s exit from the agreement and the US maximum pressure policy, Iran decided, according to articles 26 and 36 of the agreement,  to gradually step back from some of its commitments. Also, in the case all parties to the agreement fulfilled their commitments , the steps would be reversible.  

Moreover  , other regional issues and the EU approach toward the Mediterranean, the Middle East refugee crisis and extremism were discussed and the positive role of Europe in these issues were examined. In addition, it was noted the Persian gulf region would stay as important for the EU due to the need for free flow of energy and the European union supported regional talks.

At the end, the relations between America and big powers  during the upcoming Biden administration and his probable approach toward politics in various fields were discussed and it was emphasized that during his term the transatlantic relations would see positive and more   cooperation-seeking changes. About the China/U.S. relations, there would be a change in tone, but not much  in practice. Regarding the relations between Russia and America, there would be no substantial change in tone nor in practice. During the Biden period, there would be some potential changes for multilaterism such as cooperation with the UN and Security Council, and the US, probably would not play its traditional role of leadership in regard with the regional powers and they would have to defend their own interests.