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.

Slavin joins Sky News to discuss the future of the JCPOA negotiations

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
Slavin joins Sky News to discuss the future of the JCPOA negotiations

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
Slavin joins Sky News to discuss the future of the JCPOA negotiations

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.

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Content

In the News

Oct 15, 2021

Slavin joins Sky News to discuss the future of the JCPOA negotiations

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iran

In the News

Oct 14, 2021

Mohseni-Cheraghlou quoted in Asia Times about how sanctions are impacting foreign investment in Iran

By Josh Lipsky

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Oct 13, 2021

Azodi joins Aljazeera to discuss latest developments regarding JCPOA

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iran

IranSource

Oct 12, 2021

Down the ‘Rathole’: How a rapper channels Iran regime change discourse

By Nahid Siamdoust

Both the content of Toomaj Salehi’s hard-hitting rap songs, as well as the debates they have produced, speak to a transformed Iranian media landscape.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Oct 8, 2021

Iranian war games on the border with Azerbaijan were really a message to Israel

By Abbas Qaidari

The high self-confidence of Azerbaijani authorities today, the coldness of Tehran-Yerevan ties due to Iran’s support of Baku during the Nagoro-Karabakh conflict, and the growing influence of Turkey and Israel in the Caucasus have made Iranian officials concerned about the possibility of a limited conflict in the region.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Oct 6, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Washington Times on Iran’s smuggling drones to militant allies

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Defense Policy

In the News

Oct 6, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Wall Street Journal on Iran’s armed drones program

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Defense Industry

In the News

Oct 3, 2021

Azodi in Arms Control Association: “New Iran Leadership Complicates Negotiations”

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Iran

IranSource

Oct 2, 2021

Iran said nuclear talks will continue ‘soon.’ But how ‘soon’ is ‘soon’?

By Nadereh Chamlou

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that Iran plans to return to the negotiations “soon” after internal assessments of the nuclear file are completed by Raisi’s cabinet, but adding that Iran’s notion of “soon” is different from the West’s “soon.” Two factors may be behind these cryptic comments.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Sep 28, 2021

Slavin quoted in Alhurra on the future of the Iran nuclear deal talks

By Atlantic Council

Arabic International Norms
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Experts

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

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

China Chinese
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