Iran

Iran

The US-Iranian relationship has experienced significant challenges over the past forty years. The lack of diplomatic relations, changes in both the US and Iranian administrations, repeated US military interventions in the region as well as Iran’s support for militant groups and increasingly harsh rhetoric on both sides have further undermined chances for reconciliation. Through a balanced approach of engagement and containment, there is a need to push back against Iranian intervention while promoting US interests, regional conflict resolution, and the well-being of the Iranian people.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright: It will take ‘many months’ to get back to normal after this energy crisis

Dispatches Mar 6, 2026

How would a Kurdish offensive change the war in Iran?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain the goals of the various Kurdish groups the United States is reportedly backing for an attack against Iran and how their involvement could impact the wider war.
Conflict Defense Policy
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright: It will take ‘many months’ to get back to normal after this energy crisis

Dispatches Mar 6, 2026

Washington’s limited levers to shape a post-Khamenei Iran

By Nate Swanson, Ingrid Small

The United States and its allies do have some options to coax change that might result in a more Western-leaning Tehran.
Conflict Iran
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright: It will take ‘many months’ to get back to normal after this energy crisis

MENASource Mar 3, 2026

Trump wants Iranians to ‘take back their country’ from the regime. Can they?

By Alan Pino

To succeed in overthrowing the Iranian regime, an uprising would likely require a unifying leader, an effective organization, and the support of whatever remains of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Conflict Democratic Transitions

Programs

Middle East Programs

Working with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

Content

EnergySource

Jun 9, 2026

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright: It will take ‘many months’ to get back to normal after this energy crisis

By Katherine Golden

At the tenth annual Global Energy Forum, Wright said that “the price” of this crisis “will be wildly worth paying,” if it means that Iran eventually ceases to be “a constant threat to its neighbors."

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jun 7, 2026

Charai for Newsmax: No Trust, No Illusions, No Nuclear Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jun 4, 2026

تفتت الفصائل المسلحة العراقية بعد تحول النظام الإيراني من الثيوقراطية الى الجنتوقراطية

By Munqith Dagher

كيف يؤثر تغيير القيادة في ايران على الميليشيات العراقية؟ د. منقذ داغر يبدو اننا بتنا ، بعد 28 فبراير 2026 ،امام نظام مختلف وظيفياً، بل وحتى هيكلياً عما عرفناه طوال السنوات السبعة وأربعين من عمر النظام الايراني. فقد اتسم نظام الحكم في ايران بنسخته الخمينية الأولى 1979-1989  بأحادية قطبية لا مكان فيها سوى للمرشد الأعلى(الخميني). […]

Arabic Conflict

MENASource

Jun 4, 2026

Iraq’s militias are fracturing as Iran turns from theocracy to juntocracy

By Munqith Dagher

Iraq’s militias face a spiritual and organizational dilemma that gravely endangers their existence, in the wake of Iran's leadership change.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 4, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Iran’s Mafia State Understands Only Law Backed by Power

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

Dispatches

Jun 2, 2026

How will the Iran war change the US role in the world?

By Matthew Kroenig, Markus Garlauskas, and Beth Sanner

Atlantic Council experts weigh in on whether the United States should “pivot” its attention away from the Middle East and toward the Indo-Pacific.

China Indo-Pacific

Dispatches

May 29, 2026

Signing is the easy part: Two former US negotiators on the perils of implementing a deal with Iran

By Abram Paley, Nate Swanson

Abram Paley and Nate Swanson helped negotiate the last US-Iran deal, a 2023 prisoner exchange. Here's what they learned and how it applies to today's talks.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 27, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Abraham Accords and Iran

By Atlantic Council

On May 27, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR, arguing that President Trump is pushing for more countries to join the Abraham Accords to help secure a viable deal with Iran.

Iran Israel

Dispatches

May 26, 2026

Tehran wants to end the war—but not at any price

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Iran’s leadership is not prepared to make dramatic concessions that, in its view, would undermine the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

May 22, 2026

The Iran problem won’t be solved without a counter-drone coalition

By Bilal Y. Saab and Natasha Ahmed

The United States should form a partnership with Ukraine and Gulf partners around the idea of counter-drone-as-a-service, instead of selling counter-drone hardware alone.

Conflict Defense Technologies
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Experts

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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