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Aired on Sunday March 1, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. / Eastern Time
Registration is NOT REQUIRED to view the program.
Submit questions to the specialists: questions@ncusar.org
Background and Context
The joint American-Israeli Attack on Iran—codenamed “Operation Epic Fury” struck over 500 military targets, including leaders, facilities, and weapons. Supreme Leader Khamenei and many other senior leaders were reportedly killed in a “decapitation strike.” Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles and drones that struck Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. The IRGC reportedly announced a Strait of Hormuz closure and the Houthis announced new Red Sea attacks. Most Arab countries condemned the Iranian response to the attack and urged restraint. Many questions arose. How long would the war last? Would the wider regional war intensify? Would the Iranian regime survive or change? Would the Hormuz and Red Sea disruptions trigger a global recession? What would Russia and China’s response be? How would the conflict end? The National Council is pleased to invite leading experts on U.S.-Arab relations to discuss these important issues at this critical moment.
Moderator:
- Dr. Amin Tarzi, Professor of Strategic Studies, Marine Corps War College; Chair of Middle East Studies, Marine Corps University | Bio
Featured Speakers:
- H.E. Sheikh Nawaf bin Mubarak Al Thani, President, Council on International Mediation (CIM) | Bio
- Ms. Negar Mortazavi, Editor and Host, Iran Podcast; Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy | Bio
- Dr. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Co-Director, Middle East Energy Roundtable | Bio
- Dr. Kenneth Katzman, Senior Fellow, The Soufan Center; Formerly with Congressional Research Services | Bio
- Col. David Des Roches (U.S. Army Retired), Principal, Thayer Marshall Institute | Bio