What Iran is Really After: A Subscriber+Exclusive Interview

Posted: July 10th, 2023

By Norman T. Roule

Norman T. Roule is a geopolitical and energy consultant who served for 34 years in the Central Intelligence Agency, managing numerous programs relating to Iran and the Middle East. He served as the National Intelligence Manager for Iran (NIM-I) at the ODNI from 2008 until 2017. As NIM-I, he was the principal Intelligence Community (IC) official responsible for overseeing all aspects of national intelligence policy and activities related to Iran, to include IC engagement on Iran issues with senior policymakers in the National Security Council and the Department of State.

EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER+INTERVIEW — Iranian forces recently attempted to seize two oil tankers in separate incidents within a few hours of each other in the Gulf of Oman. The first attack targeted the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker TRF Moss. The second incident involved small arms fire against the Bahamian-flagged tanker Richmond Voyager. Reports indicate that Iranian forces departed only after the arrival of the destroyer, the USS McFaul.

For a deeper dive on what’s driving the recent attacks and what is Iran really after, The Cipher Brief tapped Energy Expert and former National Intelligence Manager for Iran at ODNI, Norm Roule for this exclusive Subscriber+Member Interview.

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