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.

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Abraham Accords and Iran

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
Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Abraham Accords and Iran

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
Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Abraham Accords and Iran

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

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

Inflection Points Dialogues

May 20, 2026

UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash on the Iran war, the Abraham Accords, and Europe-Gulf cooperation

By Frederick Kempe

On the sidelines of the Europe Gulf Forum, Gargash shares his thoughts on the Iran war and its far-reaching consequences.

Conflict Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 14, 2026

Five ways the Iran war will forever alter the Middle East

By Amir Asmar

Expect the war to weaken the Iranian regime, keep the US in the Middle East, harm Israel's standing in the region, and more.

Conflict Iran

In the News

May 11, 2026

Kroenig published in Foreign Policy on Iran’s uranium enrichment

By Atlantic Council

On May 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig published an article in Foreign Policy, arguing that Iran does not have a right to enrich uranium and that Trump should push for zero enrichment in perpetuity as part of any deal with Tehran.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Iran’s Terror Regime Has Shown Its True Face

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Breaking the Architecture of Iran’s Regime Power

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Bloomberg on prospects for victory in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 20, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Bloomberg about how President Trump can declare victory in Iran.

Iran Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on PBS on negotations in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 17, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on PBS about US negotiations in Iran.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy
Load More

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
Load More