Iran - the view from Tehran

The more conciliatory tone adopted by Iranian President Hassan Rowhani and progress on the P5+1 talks in Geneva has raised the prospects of a lifting of the punitive sanctions which have been imposed on Iran since 2006. While those negotiations remain at an early stage, there is growing interest amongst multinational organisations about the opportunities that might arise should Iran return to the international fold.

Andreas Carleton-Smith, regional director for the Middle East and North Africa and Henry Smith, senior consultant in the Global Risk Analysis business have made a recent research trip to Iran to assess the prospects for progress. They discuss the mood on the ground and outline the key opportunities and risks should the sanctions be removed.
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About the presenters

Andreas Carleton-Smith, Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa

Based in Dubai, Andreas Carleton-Smith is Regional Director, responsible for all Control Risks operations throughout the Middle East and Iraq. Andreas joined Control Risks in North America in 1997. In 2002 he was appointed President and CEO of Control Risks’ operations in America, responsible for the company’s offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Houston. In 2006, Andreas was then appointed to the Executive Board and became Managing Director, Global Services.

Before joining Control Risks, Andreas worked for an American consultancy providing advisory services to European-based corporations and to the Presidents of South Africa and Sierra Leone.

Andreas previously served 10 years as a commissioned officer in the British Army and Special Air Services (SAS) and was awarded the Military Cross.

Henry Smith, Senior Consultant, Global Risk Analysis

Henry coordinates Control Risks' political risk consultancy projects in the Middle East and North Africa. He has written numerous tailored assessments of political, operational, security and reputational risks for a broad range of clients throughout the region. Henry was previously Control Risks lead analyst on Iran and North Africa.  Henry regularly travels throughout the Middle East to meet business people as well as government and civil society stakeholders.

Henry is a regular commentator in international broadcast and print media and is a published author, contributing to an edited volume on the Libyan uprising.