SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Books
1. The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation (Maryland: Lexington Books, forthcoming 2024), co-authored with Robert Mason and Guy Burton.
2. The World Powers and Iran: Before, During and After the Nuclear Deal (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022).
3. Iran’s Interregional Dynamics in the Near East (New York: Peter Lang, 2021).
4. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Friends or Foes? (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016; translated into Arabic and Persian).
Book chapters
1. Banafsheh Keynoush, “Regional Consequentialism and the Role of the Iranian Marja’iyat” in Conflict, War and the Future of Shi’a Islam in the Middle East edited by Geneive Abdo (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming 2025).
2. Banafsheh Keynoush, “Conflicts Along Iran’s Northern Corridors: Implications for National Security, Regional Order, and Look East Policy,” in Iran’s Asia Pivot edited by Mehran Kamrava (Cornell University Press, forthcoming 2025).
3. Banafsheh Keynoush, “Saudi Arabia and Israel: Exploring Ambivalent Ties” in The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation, edited by Robert Mason, Banafsheh Keynoush and Guy Burton (Maryland: Lexington Books, forthcoming December 2024).
4. Banafsheh Keynoush, “Iran and Israel: A Distorted Connection” in The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation, edited by Robert Mason, Banafsheh Keynoush and Guy Burton (Maryland: Lexington Books, forthcoming December 2024).
5. Banafsheh Keynoush, “Bahrain and Israel: Elusive Amity,” in The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation, edited by Robert Mason, Banafsheh Keynoush and Guy Burton (Maryland: Lexington Books, forthcoming December 2024).
6. Banafsheh Keynoush and Edward Wastnidge, “Narratives of Power Politics in the Iran-Saudi Relationship: The View from Tehran,” in Saudi Arabia and Iran, edited by Simon Mabon and Edward Wastnidge and May Darwich (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2022).
7. Iran’s Relations with Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, in Iran’s Interregional Dynamics in the Near East, edited by Banafsheh Keynoush (New York: Peter Lang, 2021).
8. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Can Balanced Relations be Restored? in Iran’s Interregional Dynamics in the Near East, edited by Banafsheh Keynoush (New York: Peter Lang, 2021).
9. Iran’s Axis of Influence in Levant and Iraq, in Iran’s Interregional Dynamics in the Near East, edited by Banafsheh Keynoush (New York: Peter Lang, 2021).
Articles in peer-reviewed journals
1. Iran’s Bottleneck Diplomacy with Saudi Arabia and Israel, Iranian Studies, 1-7 (February 2026).
2. The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the U.S.-Israel War on Iran, Middle East Policy, Vol. 32, Issue 3 (Fall 2025).
3. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Enablers or Spoilers in the Palestinian Strife? Middle East Policy, Vol. 32, Issue 1 (Fall/Winter Spring 2025).
4. Iran’s Africa Pivot Policy, Middle East Policy, Vol. 28, Issue 3-4 (Fall-Winter, 2021).
5. Iran’s Regional Dynamics: A Piecemeal Approach, Middle East Policy, Vol. XXVII, No. 2 (Summer 2020).
6. Iran after Ahmadinejad, Survival, Vol. 54, No. 3 (2012).
7. Dealing with Iran, Confrontation or Negotiation? Insight Turkey, Vol. 10, No. 4 (2008).
Selected conference paper & special lecture series
1. Conflicts in Iran’s Northern Corridors, Panel on Iran and Asia, Middle East Studies Association, November 2024.
2. Conflicts in Iran’s Northern Corridors and Impact on its Look East Policy, Georgetown University Qatar, September 4, 2023.
3. Iran’s Interregional Dynamics: A Piecemeal Influence, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Georgetown University of Doha, Qatar, September 19, 2021.
4. Gulf Energy Prospects, Gulf Energy Forum, Qatar University, November 20, 2019.
5. Saudi Arabia and Iran: From Enmity to Amity, Inaugural Speaker of Middle East Program, International Peace Institute of Oslo, November 8, 2019.
6. The Middle East Pivot to Asia and Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy, Fung Program on Regionalization, Princeton University, November 28, 2018.
7. Saudi Arabia and Iran, Berkeley Lecture Series, Berkeley University, May 9, 2018.
8. Gulf Reaction to Israel’s Statehood in 1950s-1960s, Association for Persianate Studies, Tbilisi, March 15, 2018.
9. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Withering Relationship? U.S. Department of State, February 11, 2018.
10. Managing Middle East Conflicts after ISIS, Global South Conference, Marrakesh, December 4, 2017.
11. U.S. Foreign Policy in the Gulf Region, Trinity College, Texas, October 2017.
12. International Theory, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Prague, Czech Republic, June 4, 2017.
13. Turkey-GCC-Iran Relations, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, April 26, 2017.
14. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Building Understanding for Improved Ties, Princeton University, December 5, 2016.
15. Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the Subcontinent, Tufts University, February 14, 2016.
16. Energy Security Prospects in the Middle East: Case Studies of Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iran Energy Forum, Tehran, July 2014.
17. The Iranian Elections and the Likely Impact on its Middle East Policy, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, April 19, 2012.
18. The Iranian Presidential Elections, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, April 18, 2012.
19. Syria and its Regional Politics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden, November 2010.
20. Saudi Arabia and Iran: From Confrontation to Peaceful Cooperation, San Francisco State University, October 11, 2004.
21. Saudi Arabia and Iran: From Confrontation to Peaceful Cooperation, University of California, San Diego, September 24, 2004.
22. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Cooperation or Confrontation? Middle East Studies Association, San Francisco, CA, September 5, 2004.
23. Saudi Arabia and Iran, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, December 2, 2003.
24. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Ideology versus Statecraft, University of Trond, Norway, November 2003.
25. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Ideology versus Statecraft, University of Trondheim, Norway, November 2003.
Selected reports & articles
1. The Archival History of Iran’s Diplomatic Relations with Saudi Arabia (1913-1979): 1-59 (September 2023). http://www.banafshehkeynoush.com.
2. A ‘Political Ceasefire’ Between Iran and the West? International Centre for Dialogue Initiatives, July 18, 2023.
3. The Domestic Political Climate in Iran, International Institute for Strategic Studies, July 15, 2023.
4. Saudi-Iran Deal Could Pave the Way for More Locally Led Diplomacy in the Middle East, International Centre for Dialogue Initiatives, March 27, 2023.
5. Challenging Prospects for Saudi-Iranian Talks, Gulf International Forum, May 23, 2022.
6. The Implications of Iran’s Presidential Election, International Institute for Strategic Studies, August 2021.
7. Former Saudi and Iranian Diplomats Agree: The Region is Stuck, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, August 27, 2018.
Other selected publications
April 2026 Author | The Impact of Leadership Loss in Iran | Gulf International Forum
Feb. 2026 Moderator | ‘Cutting Through Rocks’ Documentary Screening | Commonwealth Club World Affairs
Feb. 2026 Author | Iran’s Reach in Latin America: Strategic Networks and U.S. Pressure in Venezuela | Gulf International Forum
Feb. 2026 Speaker | The Future of U.S.-Iran Engagement: Domestic Unrest, Regional Tensions, and Prospects for Diplomacy | Arab Center Washington, DC
Jan. 2026 Moderator | Iran in Crisis: What’s Behind the Protests and will the U.S. Attack? | Commonwealth Club World Affairs
Dec. 2025 Author | Gaza’s Post-War Order: What Iran Stands to Lose | Gulf International Forum
Oct. 2025 Author | From Caution to Cooperation: Iran-Pakistan Relations in the Shadow of Regional War | Gulf International Forum
Sep. 2025 Author | Shifting Power Dynamics in the South Caucusus: Iran’s Uncertain Future in the Region | Gulf International Forum
July 2025 Author | Baku’s Distance: How Israeli and Turkish Ties Blocked Iran’s Reach | Gulf International Forum
June 2025 Author | Following Israel’s Attacks, Iran Shored Up Diplomacy—and Strikes Back | Gulf International Forum
June 2025 Guest Speaker | Special Episode — Iran vs. Israel: No Winners — Expert Analysis with Banafsheh Keynoush | Wise Women Podcast Episode with Dr. Daisy Khan
June 2025 Speaker | The Iran-Israel Confrontation: Prelude to a Wider War? | Gulf International Forum
May 2025 Speaker | The Abraham Accords | MENA2025
April 2025 Guest Speaker | Book Launch, The Abraham Accords | Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame
March 2025. Moderator | The Second Catholic-Shia Dialogue Series: A Dialogue on Gender | Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion, University of Notre Dame
March 2025 Speaker | The Abraham Accords | Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Country | South Bend, Indiana
Feb. 2025 Moderator | The First Catholic-Shia Dialogue Series: A Dialogue on Dialogues Among Civilizations | Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion, University of Notre Dame
Jan. 2025 Speaker | Book Launch, The Abraham Accords: Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia | School of Oriental and African Studies | University of London
Nov. 2024 Speaker | A Year After October 7 |Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
Nov. 2024 Author | Tehran’s Calculations to Avoid All-Out. War with Israel and the U.S. | Middle East Institute
March 2024 Author | Iraqization of Iran and Shifting National Identity | Project SEPAD, Richardson Institute
Nov. 2023 Author | Iran and Hamas Beyond the Borders of the Middle East | Middle East Institute
Sep. 2023 Author | Looking to the Archives: What History Tells Us About Iran-Saudi Relations | Middle East Institute
June 2023 Author | To Avert Tensions and Build Ties, Iran’s Foreign Minister Tours the Gulf Region | Middle East Institute
April 2023 Author | Water Diversion Plans and Prospects in the Gulf Region | TRENDS Research & Advisory
March 2023 Author | How Tehran Views the Iranian-Saudi Agreement | Middle East Institute
Jan. 2023 Author | Climate-Induced Migration in the GCC States: A Looming Challenge | Middle East Institute
Jan. 2023 Author | Iran’s Growing Climate Migration Crisis | Middle East Institute
Dec. 2022 Author | BRICS Plus-GCC Relations: Emerging Vistas for Cooperation | TRENDS Policy & Analysis
2022; 2024 Invited participant | Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue RCD International Forum, Baghdad, Iraq
May 2022. Author | Severe Sand and Dust Storms Are an Underrated Risk in the Gulf Region, Despite Mitigation Measures | Middle East Institute
May 2022 Author | Iran’s Renewed Focus on Shared Gas Fields with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia | Middle East Institute
August 2021 Speaker | Iraq-Iran Water Disputes | Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue RCD International Forum, Baghdad, Iraq
August 2021 Author | For Raisi, Economic Issues Primed to Drive Iran’s Foreign Policy Agenda | Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington
July 2021 Author | Afghan-Iranian Helmand River Treaty: A Case of Failed Water Diplomacy | Rasanah
June 2021 Author | With the Hope Line, Iran Aims to Boost Seawater Transfer to Fight Growing Drought | Middle East Institute
June 2021 Author | Emerging Challenges by 2050: Iran’s and Saudi Arabia’s International Relations | Sectarianism, Proxies & De-sectarianisation Project
April 2021 Contributing author | Key Environmental Challenges Facing the Middle East, Addressing the Environmental Risks of Iran’s Nuclear Program | Middle East Institute
April 2021 Author | The Troubled Waters of the Gulf | Middle East Institute
Fall 2021 Guest lecturer | Iran and the Near East | University of Nebraska at Omaha
March 2021 Guest lecturer | Technology, Strategy & War Series | Purdue University
March 2021 Author | Water Scarcity Could Lead to the Next Major Conflict between Iran and Iraq | Middle East Institute
Feb. 2021 Author | Diplomacy with Iran: Opportunities and Risks for the UAE | Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington
Sep. 2020 Author | Revolutionary Iran’s Africa Policy | King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies
August 2020 Co-Author | Iran-Japon. La passion partagée du souvenir d’Hiroshima | Orient XXI
April 2020 Author | Red Sea Peace Initiatives: Saudi Arabia’s Role in the Eritrea-Ethiopia Rapprochement | King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies
Feb. 2020 Author | Reformist-Hardline Rivalries Dull Iran’s Parliament Elections | Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Jan. 2020 Author | Why Mediation Between Saudi Arabia and Iran Keeps Failing | Atlantic Council
Jan. 2020 Co-Author | The Death of a General: What’s Next for Iran, Iraq and the Wider Middle East? | The Foreign Policy Center UK
May 2019 Author | Saudi Arabia and Iran are Adapting to Perpetual Conflict | Atlantic Council
March 2019 Author | Water Diplomacy Not Enough to Fix Iran-Iraq’s Water Dispute | Pacific Council
January 2018 Participant | Roundtable on Iran and Saudi Arabia | Special Operations University Tampa, Florida
June 2017 Discussant | IR Theory Workshop in Prague | Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University
April 2017 Moderator | An American Journalist in Iran: From 1979 to Today | Mossavar-Rahmani Center, Princeton University
Jan. 2016 Author | Saudi Arabia and Iran Need Each Other | Tehran Bureau of The Guardian
August 2015 Author | Iran’s Revolutionary Ideology Clashes with Thirst for New Investments | Tehran Bureau of The Guardian
Nov. 2013 Author | Opinion: 10 Reasons Iran Took the Deal | CNN
Sep. 2012 Author | Opinion: No More Hedging, Time to Defuse Iranian Nuclear Issue | CNN
May 2012 Author | What Does Iran Want from Nuclear Talks? | CNN
Selected talks
1. The Third Catholic-Shia Dialogue Series: A Dialogue on Geopolitical Tensions, Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion, University of Notre Dame, April 15, 2025.
2. Nuclear Proliferation and Counter-Proliferation in the Gulf: Impacts on Domestic, Defense and Security Policies, Workshop Director, Gulf Studies Symposium, March 2024.
3. The Regional Dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, December 4, 2023.
4. The Saudi-Iranian Normalization Agreement, SEPADPOD, March 21, 2023.
5. Iranian-Saudi Agreement: Impact on the Gulf Region, Gulf International Forum, March 18, 2023.
6. Multilateralism Versus Unilateralism and the JCPOA, U.S. Naval Academy, February 11, 2023.
7. Iran, India and Nuclear Proliferation, Foreign Policy School Lectures on Indian Foreign Policy, December 4, 2022.
8. Women, Peace, and Security: Gulf Perspectives on Integration of, Inclusiveness and Integrity, Gulf International Forum and U.S. NATO Mission, November 29, 2022.
9. Woman, Life, Freedom: What is Next for the Iranian People, Pacific Council, November 28, 2022.
10. The Geopolitics of the Gulf Region After a Successful (or Failed) JCPOA Negotiations, Gulf International Forum, April 21, 2022.
11. The Future of Persian Gulf Security, Great Decisions, World Boston, December 2, 2021.
12. The World Powers and Iran, Less Interventionist Regional Approach by U.S. Favorable to Iran Saudi Relationship, Half-Time Talk: GI Exclusive Interview, October 13, 2021.
13. Iran’s Interregional Dynamics: A Piecemeal Influence, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Georgetown University of Doha, September 19, 2021
14. Iran’s Regional Dynamics: A Piecemeal Approach, MEPC Contributor Dialogue, Middle East Policy Council, August 27, 2021.
15. The Evolution of Trump’s Policies Towards Iran, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Georgetown University of Doha, October 25, 2020.
16. Saudi Arabia & Iran: A Struggle for Hegemony in the Middle East, Pacific Council, March 18, 2020.
17. Saudi Arabia and Iran: From Enmity to Amity, Inaugural Speaker of Middle East Program, International Peace Institute of Oslo, Norway, November 8, 2019.
18. U.S. and Iran, Game Theory or? Rasanah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 23, 2018.
19. The Iran Crisis, Commonwealth Club of California, July 26, 2019.
20. Saudi Arabia and Iran, Berkeley Lecture Series, Berkeley University, May 9, 2018.
21. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Withering Relationship? U.S. Department of State, February 11, 2018.
22. Saudi Arabia and Iran, SEPADPOD, October 2018.
23. U.S., Iran and Saudi Arabia, World Affairs Council, June 27, 2017.
24. Turkey-GCC-Iran Relations, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, April 26, 2017.
25. International Theory, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Prague, Czech Republic, June 4, 2017.
26. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Building Understanding for Improved Ties, Princeton University, December 5, 2016.
27. Middle East Hotspots, Guest speaker, Commonwealth Club of California, Fall 2014.
28. Energy Security Prospects in the Middle East: Case Studies of Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iran Energy Forum, Tehran, July 2014.
29. The Iranian Elections and the Likely Impact on its Middle East Policy, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, April 19, 2012.