Iran Archives

Featured commentary and analysis

Israel and the international community have deep gaps on the Iran nuclear issue. It’s time the Israeli government adopts fresh thinking.

IranSource Jan 20, 2023

UNICEF isn’t doing enough to protect Iranian children during protests. It’s time they step up.

By Kourosh Ziabari

Iranians don’t appear to be convinced that the United Nations’ dedicated children agency is doing enough and fulfilling its mandate.

Iran Middle East

IranSource Jan 11, 2023

Soccer players versus the IRGC. Who do the people of Iran choose?

By Arash Azizi

Iranians know who their national heroes are.

Human Rights Iran

IranSource Dec 22, 2022

I’m a former Syrian civil society activist. Syrians can’t tell Iranians how to win, but we can share lessons we learned the hard way.

By Ibrahim Al-Assil

Be the Iran you want to see.

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

Mar 30, 2023

Israel and the international community have deep gaps on the Iran nuclear issue. It’s time the Israeli government adopts fresh thinking.

By Danny Citrinowicz

The Israeli government must understand that there is a need to dissociate between the nuclear issue, which has only a diplomatic solution, and Iranian malign activities.

Iran Israel

IranSource

Mar 29, 2023

There’s a Forex market crisis in Iran. The root cause of its problems is the clerical establishment.

By Ebad Ebadi

Iranian officials have not been able to stop the increases in foreign currency rates or maintain the value of the Iranian rial.

Economy & Business Iran

IranSource

Mar 15, 2023

World powers have spent years trying to save the JCPOA. That’s more time than it was fully implemented and why they need a reset.

By Jason Brodsky

Since September 2022, negotiations with Tehran have remained on ice. Now represents an opportunity to reset transatlantic Iran policy more sustainably.

Iran Middle East

Content

IranSource

Mar 30, 2023

Israel and the international community have deep gaps on the Iran nuclear issue. It’s time the Israeli government adopts fresh thinking.

By Danny Citrinowicz

The Israeli government must understand that there is a need to dissociate between the nuclear issue, which has only a diplomatic solution, and Iranian malign activities.

Iran Israel

IranSource

Mar 29, 2023

There’s a Forex market crisis in Iran. The root cause of its problems is the clerical establishment.

By Ebad Ebadi

Iranian officials have not been able to stop the increases in foreign currency rates or maintain the value of the Iranian rial.

Economy & Business Iran

In the News

Mar 21, 2023

Charai in The Hill: China’s interference in the Middle East is empowering Iran

By Atlantic Council

There is no other way to put it: The China-brokered deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a body blow to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to isolate Iran. Netanyahu’s foreign policy goals have also been stymied by Israel’s multiple domestic crises, from unexpectedly strong left-wing opposition to his party’s court reform plans to a spate of shockingly violent […]

China Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Mar 21, 2023

China’s mediation between Saudi and Iran is no cause for panic in Washington

By Ahmed Aboudouh

The deal is a mere statement of intentions by both countries to improve relations, meaning reconciliation is not complete.

China East Asia

IranSource

Mar 15, 2023

World powers have spent years trying to save the JCPOA. That’s more time than it was fully implemented and why they need a reset.

By Jason Brodsky

Since September 2022, negotiations with Tehran have remained on ice. Now represents an opportunity to reset transatlantic Iran policy more sustainably.

Iran Middle East

Report

Mar 14, 2023

Improving Gulf security: A framework to enhance air, missile, and maritime defenses

By The Gulf Security Task Force

Looking at decades of US support and operations in the Gulf and recognizing a continued, arguably growing, air and maritime threat from Iran, the Atlantic Council Gulf Security Task Force developed a framework on how to best protect US and allies’ interests in this sensitive, always relevant region.

Conflict Crisis Management

IranSource

Mar 13, 2023

Iran is still exporting oil to Hezbollah and the Assad regime. It’s using Syrian ports for transit.

By Navvar Saban

Despite sanctions imposed on both countries, Tehran has continued to use Syrian ports as the main gateway to supply oil to its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, and its ally, the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Mar 10, 2023

Kroenig on BBC World News discussing recent missile strikes on Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

Fast Thinking

Mar 10, 2023

Why did China broker an Iran-Saudi detente?

By Atlantic Council

What does this move mean for one of the Middle East’s defining rivalries? How should the United States view China’s role in the breakthrough? Our experts dig beyond the diplomat-speak.

Economy & Business Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2023

Experts react: Iran and Saudi Arabia just agreed to restore relations, with help from China. Here’s what that means for the Middle East and the world.

By Atlantic Council experts

Long-standing regional adversaries just made a big announcement: They will reestablish diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the announcement.

China Iran