John Raine: Iran, the region, and the future of the regime

As the US-led international order comes under strain, Iran stands at the centre of a shifting Middle East while confronting mounting pressures at home. In this interview, John Raine, Senior Advisor on Geopolitical Due Diligence at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, discusses Iran’s foreign policy and security challenges. The conversation explores the balance between ideology and pragmatism in Iranian strategy, the regime’s use of non-state allies, relations with Israel, China and the Gulf states, and the pressures building within Iranian society. Raine also outlines several possible futures for the Islamic Republic, from gradual reform to renewed confrontation or internal fragmentation. The interview, conducted by historian and senior editor Paul Lay, was recorded in October 2025 during the seminar Intelligence and Contemporary Global Challenges. See also Axess Television's website: https://www.axesstelevision.com/ Axess Television on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axesstelevision/ Axess Television on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axesstelevision