Diba Mirzaei

Doctoral Researcher

Diba Mirzaei

  • Short CV

    • Since 10/2021: Doctoral Researcher at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies 

    • 09/2025 - 12/2025: Research Fellow with the Iranian Studies Program at Stanford University
    • 2018 - 2020: German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) – Division: Humanitarian Assistance – Policy, International Organizations, Multilateral Coordination

    • Education: M.A. in International Relations - University of Groningen in Groningen/NL; B.Sc. in European Studies - University of Twente in Enschede/NL

    Current Research

    • Modern Iranian and Persian Gulf history
    • Foreign policy and diplomacy in the Cold War era
    • Iran-Saudi relations and regional order formation
    • Security in the Persian Gulf
    • Feminist Foreign Policy

    Countries and Regions

    • Persian Gulf

    • Iran and Saudi Arabia


    Dissertation

    • Iran's Foreign Policy towards Saudi Arabia from 1968-1979: Fragile Autonomy under the Nixon Doctrine

    Diba Mirzaei

    Doctoral Researcher

    T. +49 (0)40 42825-792[email protected]


    GIGA Focus Middle East | 1/2026

    Ten Things to Watch in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026

    Europe plays a limited role in Gulf investments and the geopolitical considerations behind them. International mediation is urgently required in Gaza and Sudan. Lebanon and Syria are threatened by fragmentation. We present ten things set to inform events in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026.

    GIGA Focus Middle East | 5/2025

    Iran in the Aftermath of the Twelve-Day War

    On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran, two days before the sixth round of US–Iran nuclear talks were due to begin in Oman. Analysis is provided of how the war has transformed Iranian politics domestically, regionally, and internationally.

    GIGA Focus Middle East | 2/2025

    Ten Things to Watch in the Middle East and North Africa in 2025

    From the Gaza War and ethnic conflicts in Lebanon and Syria to the significance of a second Trump administration for the region, the MENA remains of central importance for Europe. We present ten topics that will play a prominent role in relations between the two regions in the year ahead.

    Jung & Naiv | Interview | 24/03/2026

    Iran-Forscherin Diba Mirzaei zum Irankrieg und zur Geschichte

    Mit Tilo Jung spricht GIGA-Forscherin Diba Mirzaei über den Krieg der USA und Israels gegen den Iran und über die Geschichte des Landes. In dem dreieinhalbstündigen Gespräch erzählt sie auch von ihrem Werdegang und teilt persönliche Diskriminierungserfahrungen. 

    Tagesschau | Interview | 15/03/2026

    Diba Mirzaei, Iran-Forscherin GIGA-Institut, mit einer Einschätzung des Iran-Kriegs

    Diba Mirzaei spricht in der Tagesschau darüber, warum Iran keinen konventionellen Krieg führt, ob Donald Trump überrascht ist von der iranischen Kriegsführung, was wir über den Zustand von Mojtaba Khamenei wissen und in welch schwieriger Situation sich die Golfstaaten befinden.

    DER SPIEGEL | Interview | 11/03/2026

    »Worauf man sich verlassen kann – die Iraner geben nicht auf«

    Diba Mirzaei vom GIGA diskutiert mit Michel Abdollahi, Susanne Koelbl und Markus Feldenkirchen über die Reaktionen der iranischen Führung auf Angriffe der USA und Israels sowie über weitere mögliche Auswirkungen des Krieges im Nahen Osten. 

    GIGA Event | 16/10/2024 - 18/10/2024

    Doctoral Researchers Conference: Researching with the Global South?

    Doctoral Researchers’ Conference: Researching with the Global South?, GIGA, Neuer Jungfernstieg 21 (room 243), 20354 Hamburg, Germany Organisers: German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) Hamid Talebian (Panelist, Organiser), Diba Mirzaei (Moderator)

    In creating a dialogue between Global International Relations (IR) and mainstream [Western] IR, this panel explored the complexities, synergies, and challenges of fostering such a space of dialogue.

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