Diba Mirzaei

Doctoral Researcher

Diba Mirzaei

  • Short CV

    • Since 10/2021: Doctoral Researcher at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies Doctoral thesis: Iran's Foreign Policy towards Saudi Arabia from 1971-1979: the Twin Pillar Policy and its Effects

    • Since 2021: Co-Founder of DIVERSITRY

    • 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

    • Persian Gulf politics

    • Geopolitics

    • 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 | 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.

    GIGA Focus Middle East | 6/2022

    Iran’s Uprisings: A Feminist Foreign Policy Approach

    Iran’s uprisings carry strong implications for states that have adopted a feminist foreign policy. For Germany, this is an opportunity to showcase the potential of its recent turn towards a new feminist foreign policy agenda.

    MDR | Interview | 17/06/2025

    Iran-Forscherin: Mullah-Regime ist massiv geschwächt

    Die israelischen Angriffe setzen das Mullah-Regime im Iran unter Druck. Wird es sich an der Macht halten können? Einschätzungen von Diba Mirzaei, Iran-Forscherin am GIGA.

    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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