Mike Saidi

Mike Saidi is a former analyst and Iran Team Lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute. His work focuses on Iranian military and security issues. Mike graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a B.S. in International Political Economy.

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Analyst

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Supreme Leadership, Economics, and Clout in Iran

Mike Saidi June 17, 2019 ANALYSIS

Iranian regime officials continue to profit and live comfortably despite the Trump administration's intensified "maximum pressure" campai...

Iran File: Nuclear Deal’s Future Falls into Uncertainty

Hunter Price Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi May 10, 2019 BRIEF

The Iranian regime will renege on some of its commitments to the JCPOA to pressure Europe into offering Iran immediate and concrete econo...

Iran File: Next Up on the Regime’s Hit List: Instagram

Hunter Price Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi May 01, 2019 BRIEF

The Iranian Judiciary may soon block the popular social media application Instagram.

Iran File: Iran Could Soon Punch Back After the FTO Designation

Stephen Sakowicz Hunter Price Jonatan Sameyach Mike Saidi Nicholas Carl April 22, 2019 BRIEF

The Iranian regime has yet to retaliate for the U.S. designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist ...

Iran’s Khuzestan Experiences more Protests

Mike Saidi April 15, 2019 ANALYSIS

The regime's inadequate response to massive flooding has triggered more protests in Iran.

Iran File: Flood Gates May Open to More Protests

Jonatan Sameyach Hunter Price Stephen Sakowicz Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi April 15, 2019 BRIEF

Iran may threaten maritime trade going through the Strait of Hormuz in coming weeks as U.S. economic pressure against the regime reaches ...

Iran File: Iran's Nearing Dire Straits

Hunter Price Stephen Sakowicz Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi April 08, 2019 BRIEF

Iran may threaten maritime trade going through the Strait of Hormuz in coming weeks as U.S. economic pressure against the regime reaches ...

Raisi’s Future Looks Bright for Supreme Leadership

Stephen Sakowicz Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi April 02, 2019 BRIEF

Hojjat ol Eslam Ebrahim Raisi is becoming a top contender to succeed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran File: Tehran prepares for post-war Syria

Stephen Sakowicz Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi March 29, 2019 BRIEF

The Iranian regime is setting conditions to exploit international Syrian reconstruction efforts to mitigate the effects of U.S. economic ...

Zarif’s resignation feint can’t stop mounting hardliner pressure

Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi February 26, 2019 BRIEF

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani could have suffered a major blow when Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tendered his resignation on ...

European actions remain insufficient to appease Iran

Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi February 14, 2019 BRIEF

The Iranian regime will continue to push the envelope of aggressive regional behavior and its missile program despite European concerns.

Rouhani pressures Europe to continue Oil Trade with Iran

Ulysses B. Kamrani Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi January 23, 2019 BRIEF

President Hassan Rouhani is leveraging Iran’s space program to pressure Europe to continue importing Iranian oil despite the reimposition...

Iran File: Shahroudi’s Death leads to Rising Stocks for two Potential Supreme Leaders

Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi January 07, 2019 BRIEF

From Dey to Today: Iranian Anti-Regime Protest Slogans

Mike Saidi January 03, 2019 ANALYSIS

2018 was a turbulent year for Iran. 2019 could be worse.

Iran File: A U.S. withdrawal from Syria empowers the IRGC and regime’s economic influence in the region

Elizabeth Teoman Jonatan Sameyach Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi December 21, 2018 BRIEF

A U.S. military withdrawal from Syria will grant Iran an opportunity to expand its economic influence in Syria.

More Chants, More Protests: The Dey Iranian Anti-Regime Protests

Daniel Amir Mike Saidi December 18, 2018 ANALYSIS

Iran File: Iran’s armed forces prepare for Sunni insurgency in Baluchistan

Jonatan Sameyach Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi December 14, 2018 BRIEF

Iran’s armed forces are likely preparing for intensified insurgent activities in southeastern Iran following an increase in anti-regime m...

Iran File: Hardliners Yield Back on Attacks, for Now

Jonatan Sameyach Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi December 07, 2018 BRIEF

Iranian hardliners appear to be reaching regime red-lines that will limit their further attacks on President Hassan Rouhani and his alli...

Iran File: Khuzestan remains a tinderbox for any future anti-regime riots

Ulysses B. Kamrani Austin Bodetti Michael Letkewicz Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi November 30, 2018 BRIEF

More Protests, No Progress: the 2018 Iran Protests

Mike Saidi November 28, 2018 REPORT

Hardliners renew attacks against Rouhani administration following reimposed U.S. sanctions

Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi November 16, 2018 BRIEF

Hardliners renewed their political attacks against senior members of President Hassan Rouhani’s administration following the reimposition...

Iran signals readiness to defend against Israeli strike

Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi November 09, 2018 BRIEF

Iran likely signalled its readiness to defend against a potential Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.

Iran File: Rouhani Submits to Hardliner Pressure

Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi November 02, 2018 BRIEF

The reimposition of U.S. sanctions and the Iranian economy’s continued decline will give regime hardliners greater political and economic...

Iran File: Hostage Crisis risks straining Iran-Pakistan Relations

Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi October 25, 2018 BRIEF

The Iran File is a weekly intelligence summary by the Critical Threats Project Iran team. This briefing synthesizes events from the past ...

Iran File: Law Enforcement Readies for Next Round of Anti-Regime Protests

Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi October 17, 2018 BRIEF

The Iran File is a weekly intelligence summary by the Critical Threats Project Iran team. This briefing synthesizes events from the past ...

Iran File: Forthcoming U.S. sanctions sound death knell for the Rouhani Administration

Ulysses B. Kamrani Austin Bodetti Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi October 11, 2018 BRIEF

The reimposition of U.S. sanctions against Iran on November 5 will embolden regime hardliners and weaken President Hassan Rouhani’s polit...

Iran File: ISIS and IRGC cycle of violence likely to escalate

Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Ulysses B. Kamrani Jonatan Sameyach Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi October 03, 2018 BRIEF

ISIS and anti-regime insurgencies will try to capitalize on heightened levels of anti-regime sentiments and conduct future attacks on reg...

Iran News Round Up - September 24, 2018

Michael Letkewicz Austin Bodetti Jonatan Sameyach Ulysses B. Kamrani Mike Saidi Nicholas Carl September 24, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 14, 2018

Austin Bodetti Jonatan Sameyach Michael Letkewicz Ulysses B. Kamrani Mike Saidi Nicholas Carl September 17, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 7, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi September 07, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - August 31, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi August 31, 2018 BRIEF

Iran’s hardliners are going after the entire Rouhani Administration

Mike Saidi August 28, 2018 ANALYSIS

Hardliner success in crushing President Rouhani may shave years off the regime’s lifespan

Iran News Round Up - August 24, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi August 24, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - August 13, 2018

Madeleine Vaziri Jeff Nocton Brad Schrade Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi August 13, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - August 6, 2018

Brad Schrade Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi August 06, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - July 26, 2018

Brad Schrade Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi July 26, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Roundup - July 20, 2018

Brad Schrade Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi July 17, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - July 13, 2018

Brad Schrade Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi July 13, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - July 6, 2018

Brad Schrade Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi July 06, 2018 BRIEF

Iranian Protests Turn Deadly Again

Mike Saidi June 30, 2018 ANALYSIS

Khorramshahr is experiencing the deadliest protests Iran has seen since the 2017 December demonstrations.

Iran News Round Up - June 29, 2018

Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi June 29, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - June 21, 2018

Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi June 21, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - June 14, 2018

Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi June 14, 2018 BRIEF

Ahem: Iran still has troops in Syria on Israel’s northern border

Mike Saidi June 07, 2018 ANALYSIS

The Iranian regime wants to have their troops near the Israeli border – and are comfortable lying about it.

Iran News Round Up - June 5, 2018

Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi June 05, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - May 31, 2018

John Clements Jeff Nocton Madeleine Vaziri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan May 31, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - May 24, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan May 24, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - May 16, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan May 16, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - May 10, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan May 10, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - May 2, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan May 02, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - April 25, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan April 25, 2018 BRIEF

Iranian regime officials prepare to ban Telegram

Mike Saidi April 25, 2018 BRIEF

The imminent nationwide ban on the popular messaging application Telegram may serve as the next flashpoint in Iran’s turbulent protest sc...

Iran News Round Up - April 16, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan April 16, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - April 13, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan April 13, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - April 6, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan April 06, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - March 27, 2018

Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan March 27, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - March 21, 2018

Nicholas Carl Kenneth Weber Mike Saidi Marie Donovan March 21, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - March 16, 2018

Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan March 16, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - March 9, 2018

Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan March 09, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - March 05, 2018

Nicholas Carl Kenneth Weber Mike Saidi Marie Donovan March 05, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 28, 2018

Nicholas Carl Kenneth Weber Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 28, 2018 BRIEF

A Comprehensive Look at the Iranian Anti-Regime Protests

Daniel Amir Mike Saidi February 22, 2018 ANALYSIS

The Iranian protest scene has changed since the late December-early January anti-regime protests, which spread to over 100 cities and eac...

What the Gonabadi Dervish protests tell us about Iran's protest scene

Mike Saidi February 21, 2018 ANALYSIS

A Sufi Muslim minority group’s violent protest in Tehran may result in the reignition of protests in Iran, although it has not yet done so.

Iran News Round Up - February 16, 2018

Parker Selby Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 16, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 13, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 13, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 10, 2018

Parker Selby Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 10, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 8, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 08, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 7, 2018

Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Parker Selby Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 07, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 5, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 05, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - February 1, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan February 01, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - January 30, 2018

Kenneth Weber Nicholas Carl Parker Selby Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 30, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - January 29, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 29, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - January 25, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 25, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - January 23, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 23, 2018 BRIEF

2017 - 2018 Iranian Anti-Regime Protests and Security Flaws: Graphics

Mike Saidi January 19, 2018 ANALYSIS

Anti-regime protests in Iran began in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province on December 28, 2017 and soon spread westward. The peak of the pr...

Iran News Round Up - January 18, 2018

Kenneth Weber Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 18, 2018 BRIEF

Iranian Anti-Regime Protests and Security Flaws: A Dataset

Mike Saidi January 12, 2018 ANALYSIS

The new year's wave of protests highlighted weaknesses of Iranian security forces to deal with demonstrations. The regime may find it har...

Iran News Round Up - January 10, 2018

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 10, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - January 6, 2018

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 06, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up: January 4, 2018

Nicholas Carl Parker Selby Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 04, 2018 BRIEF

Iranian officials continue to behave as though the regime does not consider the ongoing protests an existential threat to its survival.

Iran News Round Up: Iranian officials react to widespread protests - January 3, 2018

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan January 03, 2018 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 28, 2017

Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 28, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 22, 2017

Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 22, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 20, 2017

Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 20, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 19, 2017

Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 19, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 14, 2017

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 14, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 6, 2017

Nicholas Carl Parker Selby Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 06, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - December 4, 2017

Nicholas Carl Parker Selby Mike Saidi Marie Donovan December 04, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - November 21, 2017

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan November 21, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - November 16, 2017

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan November 16, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - November 14, 2017

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan November 14, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - November 9, 2017

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan November 09, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - November 7, 2017

Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan November 07, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - November 1, 2017

Samad Sadri Parker Selby Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan November 01, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 31, 2017

Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Parker Selby Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 31, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 26, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 26, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 24, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 24, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 19, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 19, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 18, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 18, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 15, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 15, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 11, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 11, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 5, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 05, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 3, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 03, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - October 2, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan October 02, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 28, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 28, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 26, 2017

Parker Selby Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 26, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 22, 2017

Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 22, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 19, 2017

Nicholas Carl Samad Sadri Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 19, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 15, 2017

Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 15, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 13, 2017

Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 13, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 12, 2017

Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 12, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 6, 2017

Nicholas Carl Samad Sadri Daniel Amir Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 06, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - September 1, 2017

Daniel Amir Samad Sadri Nicholas Carl Mike Saidi Marie Donovan September 01, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - August 30, 2017

Daniel Amir Mike Saidi Marie Donovan August 30, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - August 28, 2017

Daniel Amir Mike Saidi Marie Donovan August 28, 2017 BRIEF

Iran News Round Up - August 24, 2017

Mike Saidi Daniel Amir Marie Donovan August 24, 2017 BRIEF

article

Iran File: Shahroudi’s Death leads to Rising Stocks for two Potential Supreme Leaders

January 07, 2019

article

From Dey to Today: Iranian Anti-Regime Protest Slogans

January 03, 2019

Iran File

Iran File: A U.S. withdrawal from Syria empowers the IRGC and regime’s economic influence in the region

December 21, 2018

article

More Chants, More Protests: The Dey Iranian Anti-Regime Protests

December 18, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Iran’s armed forces prepare for Sunni insurgency in Baluchistan

December 14, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Hardliners Yield Back on Attacks, for Now

December 07, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Khuzestan remains a tinderbox for any future anti-regime riots

November 30, 2018

report

More Protests, No Progress: the 2018 Iran Protests

November 28, 2018

Iran File

Hardliners renew attacks against Rouhani administration following reimposed U.S. sanctions

November 16, 2018

Iran File

Iran signals readiness to defend against Israeli strike

November 09, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Rouhani Submits to Hardliner Pressure

November 02, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Hostage Crisis risks straining Iran-Pakistan Relations

October 25, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Law Enforcement Readies for Next Round of Anti-Regime Protests

October 17, 2018

Iran File

Iran File: Forthcoming U.S. sanctions sound death knell for the Rouhani Administration