Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile
Firas Maksad

@firasmaksad

Managing Director for Middle East & North Africa @EurasiaGroup; Associate Fellow @MiddleEastInst; views my own.

ID: 313953964

calendar_today09-06-2011 13:43:56

11,11K Tweet

17,17K Followers

2,2K Following

Becky Anderson (@beckycnn) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Israel struck Iranian oil infrastructure, raising concerns about the global energy security. Firas Maksad tells me how this could be a move by Netanyahu to drag the U.S. into the conflict.

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Any given Sunday. #Lebanon sunbathers out in full force after a night show of #Iran vs #Israel in their skies ☀️😎⛱️

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Israel is going up the escalatory ladder, targeting #Iran’s energy infrastructure & setting in motion dynamics that could destabilize the GCC & purposefully draw in the US. Early reaction from Washington indicates displeasure. Can Bibi persuade Trump again? BBC News (World) Emma Vardy

Eurasia Group (@eurasiagroup) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Closing the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's last big card to play, says our expert Gregory Brew. But Tehran is unlikely to do so, as it would hurt Iran economically and immediately trigger a response from the US and the GCC. rferl.org/a/iran-israel-…

Eurasia Group (@eurasiagroup) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Our expert Firas Maksad says that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are worried that Israel may weaken Iran, but not finish the job. Firas says these countries prefer diplomacy, but if there is to be conflict, they want it to be decisive. washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/…

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Why Trump called to evacuate Tehran: “There are more than 10 nuclear targets in the Tehran area itself. We are on the verge of destroying these sites.” (#Israel defense minister)

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

In 3 days, we went from US redline being #Iran striking at US interests or personnel, to an ultimatum to forgo enrichment or else US enters the war. That is a very significant shift from defense to offense. Bibi riding high. Tucker Carlson, not so much.

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

There is still a window for diplomatic breakthrough with #Iran. It entails US focus on “no pathway to nuclear bomb” & dismantling Fardow rather than “zero enrichment.” GCC are big winners to date, but #Israel can throw a curve ball by attacking Kharg… more with Becky Anderson

Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) 's Twitter Profile Photo

1/10 The US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities is an unprecedented event that may prove to be transformational for Iran, the Middle East, US foreign policy, global non-proliferation, and potentially even the global order. Its impact will be measured for decades to come. 🧵

Gregory Brew (@gbrew24) 's Twitter Profile Photo

The US has bombed Fordow. It has very likely used enough force to significantly damage, if not destroy, the enrichment facility. We likely won't know for quite some time. It's possible we may never know, as that will be a big part of Iran's response. 1/

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

A direct & indirect response from #Iran is coming. Direct will be choreographed & telegraphed to remain below threshold off a US response that threatens regime. Think post killing of Qassem Suleimani, but more intense, & with involvement of proxies. Communication channels open.

ᴅʀ ʜ.ᴀ. ʜᴇʟʟʏᴇʀ 🖖🏾 ⚜️ (@hahellyer) 's Twitter Profile Photo

This is not remotely what Saudi diplomats say privately or publicly. On the contrary, Riyadh views Tel Aviv as the source of even more instability in the region than it did before (warontherocks.com/2025/04/for-sa…). If anything, prospects went dramatically down (through the floor).

Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) 's Twitter Profile Photo

My New York Times Opinion on Iran's looming transition: Wars strengthen nascent revolutionary regimes; military humiliations weaken aging ones. Iran has the human capital and resources to be a G20 nation; less than 25% of authoritarian collapses lead to democracy. nytimes.com/2025/06/23/opi…

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Al Udeid is a sprawling military compound, divided into a Qatari & non Qatari side, where U.S. Central Command operates from. Just US military personnel, no families allowed. Far from civilian areas. Visited multiple times. Hoping for no loss of life if there’s incoming from #Iran 👀

ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) 's Twitter Profile Photo

extraordinary demonstration of iranian weakness. of the three parties fighting, iran has accordingly become the most risk averse.

Firas Maksad (@firasmaksad) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Announcing a ceasefire & dubbing it the 12-day war (emphasizing brevity) is so on brand for Trump. A victory no doubt, but dealing with the highly enriched uranium still unaccounted for in #Iran will pose a challenge. As the news broke with legendary Barbara Starr