Iran’s nuclear program is escalating, its economy is worsening, and Tehran’s terror-regime ties with other authoritarians are tightening. As a result, the United States has an unparalleled opportunity to operationalize alternative policy options that marry maximum support for the Iranian people with maximum pressure against the Iranian regime.

To advance these ideas, FDD and the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI) host a symposium featuring a keynote address by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) followed by an exclusive fireside chat with HIH Reza Pahlavi, crown prince of Iran, and Cliff May, FDD founder and president. An expert panel featuring Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD’s Iran Program senior director, and Cameron Khansarinia, NUFDI vice president, will unpack the current state of play with Iran and how maximum support can be paired with maximum pressure; Negar Mojtahedi, Iran International correspondent, will moderate.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/07/maximum-support-operationalizing-the-other-iran-policy/

A VISION FOR YEMEN'S FUTURE

HEADLINE 1: In June 2021, Hamas asked Iran for $500 million to help fund the destruction of Israel.

HEADLINE 2: On Saturday, The Washington Post reported that the regime in Iran hired a Georgian drug trafficker to assassinate a rabbi in Azerbaijan.

HEADLINE 3: The United States has sent another THAAD air defense system to Israel.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ahmed Atef, a former Yemeni diplomat who now serves as the U.S. representative of the Southern Transitional Council.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON THE REGIME IN IRAN + MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR THE IRANIAN PEOPLE

HEADLINE 1: On Wednesday, the IDF struck what it described as “remaining military capabilities” that belonged to the former Bashar al-Assad regime.

HEADLINE 2: The IDF is establishing a new security corridor in southern Gaza.

HEADLINE 3: Russia and Iran’s deputy foreign ministers spoke with each other about Iran’s nuclear program.

HEADLINE 4: The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a network of Houthi financiers and procurement operatives.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Emily Schrader, an Israeli journalist, author, and activist who serves as a news anchor at ILTV News.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Israel’s tech ecosystem plays a pivotal role in strengthening US-Israel relations, particularly collaborative innovations, economic partnerships, and geopolitical ties. These dynamics, notably in defense technology, align with U.S. national security interests and foster normalization with Gulf states by enhancing regional stability and economic resilience. Through the lens of innovation, these unique opportunities for collaboration and diplomacy have the potential to reshape regional dynamics and foster lasting peace.

For an insightful conversation on technology’s power to shape diplomacy and drive peace in the Middle East, FDD hosts Eyal Hulata, senior fellow, FDD and former Israeli National Security Advisor; Ilana Sherrington Hoffman, director of global partnerships, Startup Nation Central; and Seth Spergel, managing partner, Merlin Ventures. Nave Shachar, director of innovation diplomacy, Startup Nation Central, gives keynote remarks. The conversation is moderated by Bradley Bowman, senior director, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/03/israeli-innovation-and-defense-tech-strengthening-ties-and-regional-normalization/

ISRAEL, QATAR, AND TURKEY

HEADLINE 1: Israel eliminated a top Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut.

HEADLINE 2: Israeli security forces foiled a terror cell in the West Bank city of Nablus.

HEADLINE 3: The Houthis said they shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone.

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FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow provides timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a conversation between Jon Schanzer and Lena Argiri, the D.C. correspondent for Greek Public Broadcasting.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

TURKEY, GAZA, AND IRAQ

HEADLINE 1: Erdogan’s Hamas clients are also dealing with popular unrest.

HEADLINE 2: The regime in Iran replied to President Trump’s letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

HEADLINE 3: The United States military continues to hammer the Houthis.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN MOUNTING GLOBAL THREATS

HEADLINE 1: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled another so-called missile city.

HEADLINE 2: Those Houthi ballistic missile attacks keep on coming.

HEADLINE 3: The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit for the forfeiture of $47 million in proceeds from the sale of Iranian oil.

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FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer and Hudson Institute Adjunct Fellow Garrett Exner who also serves as the executive director of the Public Interest Fellowship.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

EXPOSING TWO-FACED QATAR

HEADLINE 1: The U.S. Treasury Department issued another round of Iran sanctions.

HEADLINE 2: The Trump administration handed Syria’s new rulers a list of conditions they must meet to finally see some of those sanctions lifted.

HEADLINE 3: Anti-Hamas protests erupted in Gaza yesterday.

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FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer and John Mirisch, who formerly served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. 

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

TURKEY: AUTHORITARIANS, BAD ACTORS, AND PROTESTS

HEADLINE 1: The U.S. military is beefing up its naval presence in the Middle East.

HEADLINE 2: The debate over the credibility of the Lebanese government is heating up again.

AND HEADLINE 3: Protests are still raging in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor last week – Turkey’s top opposition leader.

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FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for MENA at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

REVERSING KISSINGER

HEADLINE 1: The Trump administration issued a new round of Iran-related sanctions yesterday.

HEADLINE 2: Hamas popped off a handful of rockets at Israel yesterday.

HEADLINE 3: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei delivered a speech yesterday to mark the start of the Iranian New Year, Nowruz.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with author Lee Smith, who serves as the media columnist for Tablet Magazine.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief