Iran Archives

Featured commentary and analysis

Panikoff quoted in Time Magazine on Iran’s involvement in Israel-Hamas war

IranSource Nov 8, 2023

The Gaza war raises questions about the future of Iran’s Resistance Axis

By Raz Zimmt

The Gaza war presents the first significant test of the level of cooperation present among the elements of the Iran-led Resistance Axis.

Iran Israel

IranSource Sep 28, 2023

Ronaldo’s visit to Iran was a temporary reprieve from the realities on the ground

By Hezha Barzani

The timing of the match is what stood out the most, as it took place two days after the one-year anniversary of the anti-establishment protests.

Iran Middle East

IranSource Jul 11, 2023

Why Khamenei’s son is not the next radical modernizer in the Middle East

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

A cohort of regime elites are hoping that Mojtaba Khamenei will transform the Islamic Republic from above.

Iran Middle East

In-depth research & reports

Issue Brief May 18, 2022

Afghanistan: Where US-Iranian interests may yet intersect

By Borzou Daragahi

Borzou Daragahi’s latest report delves into the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and how the swift collapse of the US-backed government in Kabul last summer shocked the United States and its influential neighbor, Iran.

Afghanistan Iran

Report Jan 13, 2022

Iranians on #SocialMedia

By Holly Dagres

This report by the Future of Iran Initiative and Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) explores the social media habits of Iranian netizens and how the Islamic Republic is repressing the online space.

Economic Sanctions Human Rights

In-Depth Research & Reports Apr 29, 2021

Iranian women in the year 1400: The struggle for equal rights continues

By Mehrangiz Kar and Azadeh Pourzand

A new report outlines an image of women’s struggles for equality to help US policymakers better understand the intricacies of Iranian society and to design policies that support—but do not supplant or undermine—the women’s movement.

Conflict Iran

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

The latest from IranSource:

IranSource

Dec 7, 2023

Does the Resistance Axis believe its propaganda about Israel? The October 7 attack seems to suggest so.

By David Daoud

For the Resistance Axis, portraying Israel as a temporary entity that will inevitably melt away has an obvious utility, and is one that furthers the goal of destroying the Jewish state.

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Nov 22, 2023

Meet the secret IRGC entity purging university professors in Iran

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

The Islamic Republic’s war on university professors and academic staff is led by the Professors Basij Organization.

Human Rights Iran

IranSource

Nov 17, 2023

The Gaza war is a reminder that the US needs to reevaluate its Iran policy

By Shukriya Bradost

Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent a further escalation and the expansion of the Israel-Hamas war in the region, Iran-backed militia groups continue to challenge US forces.

Iran Israel

Content

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Panikoff quoted in Time Magazine on Iran’s involvement in Israel-Hamas war

Conflict Iran

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Panikoff quoted in WBUR On-Point on escalation risks of Israel-Hamas war

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Sales and Warrick testify for the House Homeland Security hearing on Iranian threats to national security

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Cunningham quoted in NTD on Iran-China-Russia-North Korea alliance

By Atlantic Council

Iran Korea

IranSource

Dec 7, 2023

Does the Resistance Axis believe its propaganda about Israel? The October 7 attack seems to suggest so.

By David Daoud

For the Resistance Axis, portraying Israel as a temporary entity that will inevitably melt away has an obvious utility, and is one that furthers the goal of destroying the Jewish state.

Conflict Iran

Transcript

Nov 28, 2023

Our experts explain what US policymakers should know about deterring Russia’s and China’s nuclear threats

The fellows of Forward Defense’s Nuclear Strategy Project met at a roundtable to discuss how to deter nuclear powers Russia and China from expanding their capabilities and from giving nuclear weapons a greater role in Moscow's and Beijing's defense strategies.

China East Asia

IranSource

Nov 22, 2023

Meet the secret IRGC entity purging university professors in Iran

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

The Islamic Republic's war on university professors and academic staff is led by the Professors Basij Organization.

Human Rights Iran

MENASource

Nov 22, 2023

Islamic Resistance in Iraq appears to be responsible for attacks in the country and there’s no end in sight

By Lizzie Porter

Iraq is witnessing part of the regional fallout from the Israel-Hamas war, and Iraqi bases housing US troops are feeling that most forcefully.

Iran Iraq

IranSource

Nov 17, 2023

The Gaza war is a reminder that the US needs to reevaluate its Iran policy

By Shukriya Bradost

Despite the Biden administration's efforts to prevent a further escalation and the expansion of the Israel-Hamas war in the region, Iran-backed militia groups continue to challenge US forces.

Iran Israel