London, UK: A significant step towards strengthening academic and policy ties between the UK and Iran was taken during a productive meeting at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London.
The discussions, involving representatives from the EuroAsia Policy Centre (EPC) and H.E. Seyed Ali Mousavi, Iran’s Ambassador to the UK, focused on fostering collaboration between EPC and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS).
The meeting, attended by EPC representatives Raza Syed and Prof. Shabnam Delfani, alongside the Ambassador and Mr. Ali Matinfar (Counselor In-Charge for Commercial and Economic Affairs), centred on establishing a framework for academic and policy-oriented dialogue. EPC outlined its mission to promote inclusive policy discussions and research collaboration, with a particular emphasis on deepening regional understanding between Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus region, and the Middle East.
Ambassador Mousavi warmly welcomed the initiative, expressing strong support for EPC’s objectives and enthusiasm for closer ties between European and Iranian policy communities. He proposed facilitating direct contact between EPC and IPIS in Tehran, offering to make a formal introduction to IPIS leadership to explore avenues for cooperation. Potential areas of collaboration include joint research projects, roundtable discussions, and academic exchanges aimed at addressing shared geopolitical challenges.
This partnership could become the first sustained academic channel between UK and Iranian institutions since the 2022 diplomatic freeze. As EPC UK’s Raza Syed noted: “Knowledge diplomacy builds foundations where politics stumbles. An EPC-IPIS axis creates neutral space for evidence-based solutions.” Ambassador Mousavi emphasized the timing: “When governments speak past each other, think tanks can keep dialogue alive. This isn’t just academic—it’s diplomatic bridge-building.”
The proposed partnership between EPC and IPIS is seen as a vital opportunity to enhance bilateral relations between the UK and Iran through scholarly and policy exchange. “This collaboration could pave the way for meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding, bridging gaps in a complex geopolitical landscape,” said Prof. Shabnam Delfani.
The meeting marks a promising development in fostering institutional ties, with the Ambassador’s support providing a strong foundation for future cooperation. Both sides expressed optimism about the potential for joint initiatives to contribute to academic discourse and policy innovation, strengthening the UK-Iran relationship.
The initiative aligns with the UK Foreign Office’s 2024 “Knowledge Bridges” strategy, promoting academic ties with adversarial states. Success could pave the way for parliamentary exchanges and consular normalization.
