Primary Function:
The Iran Specialist leads the strategy, development, and execution of MBN’s enterprise coverage on Iran to ensure authoritative, consistent, and forward-looking reporting. This role sits at the intersection of editorial judgment, geopolitical expertise, and investigative insight, with responsibility for producing, shaping, and guiding coverage that explains Iran’s political system, security architecture, nuclear program, regional influence, and internal power dynamics.
This position is focused on continuity and strategic depth rather than daily headlines, ensuring MBN’s Iran coverage is analytical, differentiated, and grounded in deep subject-matter expertise.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Own and oversee MBN’s enterprise-level coverage of Iran, ensuring depth, accuracy, clarity, and strategic consistency
Lead long-term editorial focus on Iran’s political system, elite power structures, and institutional dynamics
Track and analyze developments related to nuclear negotiations, sanctions, the IRGC and security institutions, the Office of the Supreme Leader, regional proxy networks, and domestic political and economic pressures
Identify patterns, strategic shifts, red lines, and long-term trajectories rather than reacting solely to daily developments
Develop enterprise story ideas, investigations, and thematic editorial series related to Iran
Collaborate with the Enterprise Editor and newsroom leadership to shape long-form articles, explainers, backgrounders, newsletters, briefings, and special coverage
Translate complex geopolitical and security developments into clear, accessible, and analytically rigorous content
Maintain high editorial standards for accuracy, nuance, terminology, and framing across all Iran-related coverage
Prepare background memos, research briefs, timelines, and contextual documents for editors, correspondents, and producers
Fact-check and review high-impact Iran stories to ensure precision and avoid mischaracterization
Serve as the newsroom’s internal subject-matter expert and primary reference point on Iran-related issues
Collaborate with DC correspondents on U.S.–Iran policy coverage and with regional editors on Iran’s footprint across the Middle East
Partner with newsletter, digital, and video teams to support cross-platform storytelling and special projects
Monitor regional and global developments to anticipate coverage needs and strategic implications
Perform additional related duties assigned to support departmental and organizational needs
Other Duties:
Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Candidates are required to have:
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, International Affairs, Political Science, Middle East Studies, or a related field
Minimum of 5 years of experience covering Iran, regional geopolitics, national security, or foreign policy
Demonstrated expertise in Iran’s political system, power structures, and regional strategy
Strong analytical judgment and ability to translate complex geopolitical developments into clear, accessible reporting
Proficiency using research tools, primary sources, and verification methods to inform editorial decisions
Fluency in Persian (required) and Arabic , English proficiency strongly preferred
Excellent written communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.