On April 22, 2026, ROLES received a visit by Dr. Sayyid Ali Aravi, Assistant Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and Co-Chair of the Center for Iranian Studies. After holding informal discussions with Prof. Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor of Religion and Global Security at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) of the University of Tokyo, and Founding Chair of ROLES, Dr. Alavi gave a talk for the 3rd ROLES Common Room Talk which was limited for invitees and attended by scholars on the Gulf politics and security,  imcumbent and former officials who have been in charge of the Iranian, the Gulf and Middle Eastern affairs as well as Defence policy.