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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The unsaid threat to Iran during Netanyahu’s navy cadet speech

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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The unsaid threat to Iran during Netanyahu’s navy cadet speech

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

The unsaid threat to Iran during Netanyahu’s navy cadet speech

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

Content

IranSource

Mar 19, 2019

The unsaid threat to Iran during Netanyahu’s navy cadet speech

By Shemuel Meir

The Israeli elections are well underway and the Iranian issue is taking a central part in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s electoral campaign. Putting Iran on the agenda helps the prime minister maintain a never-ending security tension. Thus, the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has become a […]

Iran Israel

IranSource

Mar 18, 2019

Iran should reach out to labor leaders, not prosecute them

By Tara Sepehri Far

There’s not much good news to share in Iran as Nowruz, the Iranian new year, approaches. The economic situation that played a role in nationwide protests during December 2017 and January 2018 is still difficult as millions of Iranians struggle to live a decent life. Inflation and perceptions of widespread corruption further fuel popular frustration, […]

Iran

IranSource

Mar 15, 2019

A photo op in Najaf reveals an Iran that could be

By Borzou Daragahi

As far as photographs go, it’s a rather inartful moment. Three aging men dressed in dark clothes sit in a spartan room with small glasses of heavily-brewed tea and a tissue box resting before them, as they engage in conversation. But to Iranians and Iran-watchers the March 13 meeting marked a historical moment. The image […]

Iran Iraq

IranSource

Mar 11, 2019

Ebrahim Raisi: Iran’s new chief justice and possible Supreme Leader in waiting

By Mehrzad Boroujerdi

Iran’s 1989 amended constitution states that “in order to fulfill the responsibilities of the judiciary power in all the matters concerning judiciary, administrative and executive areas, the [Supreme] Leader shall appoint a just, honorable man well versed in judiciary affairs and possessing prudence and administrative abilities as the head of the judiciary power for a period of […]

Iran

IranSource

Mar 7, 2019

UK’s Hezbollah Ban May Signal Tougher Stance on Iran

By David Daoud

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah once dubbed dividing his group into distinct political and military wings an “English innovation.” Yet, last week, the United Kingdom decided to end this mainstay of British policy. Shortly after Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced a total ban on Hezbollah, Parliament amended the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000 to proscribe the group “in its entirety.” London’s acknowledgment of Hezbollah’s unity […]

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 6, 2019

UK blacklisting of Hezbollah is making Iran hesitant to join FATF

By Maysam Behravesh

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s much-publicized resignation was largely attributed to the existence of parallel power structures in Iran that adversely affect many areas of policymaking and governance, including foreign policy. One policy issue that has caused a great deal of controversy among Iran’s ruling elite is whether to implement requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) […]

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Feb 27, 2019

The pictures which forced Zarif to resign reveal deep problems in the Iranian system

By Shahir Shahidsaless

The resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif came as a shock, and not just due to the delivery system. He made the announcement on an Instagram post addressed to his followers instead of official channels. The timing was suspect as well. Zarif decided to leave office just as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made […]

Iran

IranSource

Feb 26, 2019

Is Saudi Arabia Pulling Pakistan Into War With Iran?

By Fatemeh Aman

For years, the Pakistani government has avoided taking sides between rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, but now it may be forced to choose. Pakistan is in dire need of financial support and the Saudis have the means to help. Will Pakistan accept the strings attached to Saudi generosity? Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) […]

Iran Pakistan

IranSource

Feb 25, 2019

Try taming rather than laming Iran’s missile program

By Greg Thielmann

From its early days, the Trump administration has sought to isolate and weaken the Islamic Republic of Iran, using Iran’s missile and space launch programs as a key justification. In addition to withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018, expanding extensive trade sanctions, and severely restricting travel to the US […]

Iran

IranSource

Feb 22, 2019

Iran Seeks Economic Benefits From Syria

By Hamidreza Azizi

When US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal last May, his main argument to justify the move was that the agreement had been one-sided, providing Iran with large amounts of money to finance its “destabilizing policies” throughout the Middle East.  This argument has become one of the main rationales behind Washington’s “maximum pressure” policy against Iran. […]

Iran Syria
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