Researcher · Persian Gulf Diplomacy
Executive Director of Research and Programs at the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation. His work centers on conflict resolution and diplomacy, with a particular focus on the Persian Gulf region.
About
Dr. Mehran Haghirian is the Executive Director of Research and Programs at the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation. His work centers on conflict resolution and diplomacy, with a particular focus on the Persian Gulf region. Haghirian holds a PhD in Gulf Studies from Qatar University and a master’s degree in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC.
He currently leads the Integrated Futures Initiative, which focuses on fostering regional dialogue, diplomacy, and economic cooperation in the Gulf. He also leads the Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth, which advances cooperation on climate transition and socioeconomic development between policy, commercial, and technical stakeholders across the Gulf and the Global South. In addition, he leads the Vision Iran Initiative, which focuses on diaspora dialogue, human rights, and transitional justice in Iran.
Haghirian previously served as a researcher and assistant director at the Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences and as a program assistant at the Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Initiative. His upcoming book, “Differentiating Foreign Policy Strategies in the Persian Gulf: The Decision-Making Calculus towards Iran,” will be published by Springer in 2027. He was recently selected as an “Emerging Leader” by the Policy Center for the New South’s Atlantic Dialogues Programme.
Forthcoming Book · Springer, 2027
The Decision-Making Calculus towards Iran — drawing on doctoral research awarded Qatar University’s Most Distinguished Student honor, the book examines how each Arab state of the Gulf arrives at its own strategy toward Tehran, and why the region has never moved as one.
Recent Writing
To Restore Peace in the Gulf, Trump Needs ChinaBourse & Bazaar Foundation
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May 4, 2026
Emirati Exit From OPEC Signals Shift for GCCBourse & Bazaar Foundation · with Jessica Obeid
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Apr 28, 2026
Le Golfe ne fait plus blocLe Grand Continent · with Jessica Obeid
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Apr 13, 2026
The GCC Will Not Unify on IranAfkar — Middle East Council on Global Affairs
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Interviewed and quoted by
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Education
From Le Rosey to Doha — a course of study circling how Iran and its Arab neighbours might build a cooperative future.
2018 – 2024 · Doha, Qatar
Qatar University, College of Arts and Sciences
Dissertation: “Differentiating Foreign Policy Strategies in the Arabian Peninsula: The Decision-Making Calculus towards Iran.” GPA 4.0/4.0.
Most Distinguished Student, College of Arts and Sciences — Spring 20242015 – 2017 · Washington, DC
American University, School of International Service
Thesis: “Effectuating A Cooperative Future Between Iran and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf.”
Summer 2016 · Geneva, Switzerland
Graduate Institute of Geneva
2012 – 2015 · Orange, CA
Chapman University, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Honors: Sigma Iota Rho.
2011 – 2012 · Boston, MA
Northeastern University, College of Social Sciences and Humanities
2007 – 2010 · Rolle & Gstaad, Switzerland
Institut Le Rosey
Work Experience
March 2021 – Present · London, United Kingdom
Bourse & Bazaar Foundation
Integrated Futures Initiative — designed, secured funding for, and leads the strategic direction of the Foundation’s flagship initiative, convening over 100 senior policymakers, experts, and stakeholders around economic, energy, climate, and city diplomacy for regional integration and sustainable conflict resolution in the Gulf.
Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth — designed, secured funding for, and leads this major initiative advancing cooperation on climate transition and sustainable development between the Gulf and the Global South, with strategic partnerships across leading regional institutions and a Policy and Implementation Council of over 100 professionals.
Vision Iran Initiative — diaspora dialogue, human rights, and transitional justice in Iran.
October 2018 – October 2022 · Doha, Qatar
Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences
August 2016 – May 2017 · Washington, DC
Atlantic Council, Future of Iran Initiative
January 2016 – December 2016 · Washington, DC
American University, School of International Service
Assistant to Professor Fereshteh Nouraei-Simone in SIS-619 Iran and the United States: Conflict and Rapprochement (Fall 2016) and SISU-380 Iran and Middle East Conflicts (Spring 2016).
Leadership
Brings together over 100 senior policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to advance economic, energy, climate, and city diplomacy as tools for regional integration and sustainable conflict resolution in the Gulf.
Advances cooperation on climate transition and sustainable development between the Gulf and the Global South, with a Policy and Implementation Council of over 100 professionals and partnerships with leading regional institutions.
Focuses on diaspora dialogue, human rights, and transitional justice in Iran — sustaining channels for a constructive conversation about the country’s future.
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