Covering topics ranging from security and politics to business and society, IranSource draws on written analysis and multimedia content to inform a broader public conversation about Iran from an array of angles and perspectives.

It aims to identify the challenges, opportunities, and policy conundrums facing the US-Iran relationship and present a range of options to address them.

Editor: Holly Dagres

The views expressed in IranSource are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.

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An escalating Israel-Iran conflict could sink the JCPOA

IranSource Nov 20, 2024

2025 will be a decisive year for Iran’s nuclear program

Diplomatic deadlines and regional factors will force Iran to decide soon whether to strike a deal or seek a nuclear weapon. Either choice will have major ripple effects.

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An escalating Israel-Iran conflict could sink the JCPOA

IranSource Nov 20, 2024

How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

If one looks closely, the ancient Persian sport of wrestling might have answers to understanding how to contain Iran
Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity
An escalating Israel-Iran conflict could sink the JCPOA

IranSource Nov 1, 2024

How the death of Abdul Malik al-Houthi could impact the Houthis and Iran

By Emily Milliken and Caitlin Miller Hollingsworth

While Abdul Malik al-Houthi is still alive today, his death in the near term would impact the Houthi’s ability to operate and widen a leadership vacuum within Iran’s Resistance Axis.
Conflict Iran

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IranSource

Sep 1, 2021

An escalating Israel-Iran conflict could sink the JCPOA

By Sina Azodi and Mohsen Solhdoost

Rising tensions between Israel and Iran have reached an alarming stage in recent weeks. What used to be a shadow war of covert operations, sabotage, and proxy conflict is turning into a more direct military confrontation between the long-time regional adversaries.

Iran Israel

IranSource

Aug 24, 2021

Iran’s new face to the world—Hossein Amir-Abdollahian—is no Zarif

By Sina Azodi

In short, unlike his predecessor who was distrusted and often marginalized by the IRGC, one should expect more collaboration between what Zarif dubbed “diplomacy and the battlefield.”

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Aug 20, 2021

Iran spent years preparing for a Taliban victory. It may still get stung.

By Borzou Daragahi

Iran’s relatively sanguine stance toward the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan demonstrates, above all, the strides Tehran has made in improving its relations with the armed insurgent network that was once considered a mortal enemy of the Islamic Republic. 

Afghanistan Iran

IranSource

Aug 16, 2021

The Raisi administration must answer the IAEA enquires. Otherwise, Vienna talks risk derailment.

By Kelsey Davenport

Tehran’s failure to fully cooperate with the IAEA’s investigation into past possible undeclared nuclear materials and activities risks derailing progress on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s (JCPOA) restoration and undermining confidence that Iran’s current nuclear program is peaceful.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Aug 2, 2021

The ‘Balkanization’ of Iran is a fantasy. Here’s why.

By Raz Zimmt

Despite the profound differences between the various ethnic groups, Iran has existed as a separate political and cultural entity with a unique national identity for centuries, unlike most Arab nation-states, whose borders were shaped by Western powers after World War I.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Jul 30, 2021

The grapes of Khuzestan’s wrath

By Nasser Karami

After decades of poor environmental governance and mismanagement of water resources in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province, it’s not surprising that people have taken to the streets once again since July 15, prompting a violent crackdown by security forces and near total internet shutdown.

Energy & Environment Iran

IranSource

Jul 8, 2021

Raisi’s proposed economic policy plan for Iran doesn’t make sense

By Ebad Ebadi

It is important for the incoming Raisi administration and hardline-dominated government branches to use their one-party views to make necessary economic reforms with comprehensive and consistent economic plans to address major economic challenges in Iran. Whether that will ever happen is hard to say.

Economy & Business Iran

IranSource

Jul 7, 2021

Iran faces its driest summer in fifty years

By Omid Shokri

Only by redefining Iran’s agricultural policy and improving water conservation can Iran begin to resolve this worsening crisis.

Energy & Environment Iran

IranSource

Jun 29, 2021

If Raisi wants to improve the Iranian economy, price controls are where to start

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Lawmakers and government officials in Iran repeatedly revert to the same set of failed populistic economic policies, failing to make short-term sacrifices that benefit the country in the long term. One such policy is price controls, a favorite in the toolkit of Iranian policymakers, who have attempted to control persistently high inflation rates over the past decades, but obviously with no success.

Economy & Business Iran

IranSource

Jun 24, 2021

A look at Iran’s new First Lady

By Fatemeh Haghighatjoo

It’s important to take a close look at President-elect Ebrahim Raisi's wife, Jamileh Alamolhoda, and, more importantly, how the couple will impact women’s rights in Iran.

Iran Middle East
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