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 Iranian cleric, rights activist, and hacker entered a room—on Clubhouse

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 Iranian cleric, rights activist, and hacker entered a room—on Clubhouse

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 Iranian cleric, rights activist, and hacker entered a room—on Clubhouse

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.
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IranSource

Mar 30, 2021

An Iranian cleric, rights activist, and hacker entered a room—on Clubhouse

By Holly Dagres

It sounds like the beginning of a joke but in reality, that’s what happened recently in a Clubhouse chatroom discussing whether or not the hijab should remain mandatory in Iran.

Iran Middle East

IranElections2021

Mar 29, 2021

Why would anyone—including Mohammad Javad Zarif—want to be Iran’s president?

By John Limbert

Zarif might seem highly qualified to be president of Iran. However, it remains uncertain whether he has the temperament, the talent, and the stomach for the bear pit of electoral politics.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 25, 2021

Why Iran will not let Arab states join nuclear talks

By Saeid Jafari

Iran’s opposition to including Arab states in potential new nuclear talks, while based on legal precedent, also has political and security dimensions.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 24, 2021

#No2IslamicRepublic: Just a hashtag or much more?

By Arash Azizi

On March 11, an anti-government campaign was launched with the hashtag #No2IslamicRepublic in English and Persian. The movement was announced via a statement signed by 640 Iranians, including those inside and outside Iran.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 23, 2021

Rising concerns over the US-Iran impasse: A European view

By Michel Duclos

As Iran has hardened its stance, the Europeans have tried but have been unable to play the honest broker.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 18, 2021

Khamenei may show more ‘heroic flexibility’ after Iranian elections

By Anonymous

The Supreme Leader expects the Biden administration to return to the JCPOA on Iranian terms. However, he is ready to wait for a few more months to achieve an equally if not more important domestic political objective: replacing Rouhani with a more hardline figure.

Iran Middle East

IranElections2021

Mar 16, 2021

Larijani has credentials but not charisma as Iran’s presidential candidate

By Barbara Slavin

Ali Larijani is a veteran official in the Islamic Republic whose long service in a variety of key posts would make him a plausible—if not especially charismatic—candidate in Iran’s upcoming June 18 presidential elections.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 12, 2021

This Iranian pop song is “more dangerous than polio”

By Holly Dagres

In the days following the release of the 'Tehran Tokyo' teaser, Iranian politicians and conservatives called for the video to be censored because they claimed that it presented pornography to children.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 9, 2021

Middle class Iranians sought to remake their nation. Here’s how they were betrayed.

By Borzou Daragahi

There are broad continuities in the themes that have shaped Iran’s politics and society over the last century. The influence of Iran’s middle classes, who have at times aligned themselves with or steadfastly opposed those in power, has waxed and waned.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 9, 2021

As Iran enters a new century, many old challenges remain

By Nadereh Chamlou

At the dawn of their new century, Iranians still aspire for an accountable and effective government, social inclusion and economic security, and a productive and respectful collaboration with foreign powers.

Iran Middle East
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