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 quoted in Alhurra on reviving the nuclear deal

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 quoted in Alhurra on reviving the nuclear deal

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 quoted in Alhurra on reviving the nuclear deal

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

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Content

In the News

Jul 7, 2021

Slavin quoted in Alhurra on reviving the nuclear deal

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Elections

IranSource

Jul 7, 2021

Iran faces its driest summer in fifty years

By Omid Shokri

Only by redefining Iran’s agricultural policy and improving water conservation can Iran begin to resolve this worsening crisis.

Energy & Environment Iran

In the News

Jun 30, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Cleveland Jewish News on Iran’s intentions to acquire a nuclear bomb in the future

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Jun 29, 2021

Ashford in Reuters: Undeclared conflict? America’s battles with Iran-backed militia escalate, again

By Atlantic Council

On June 29, Emma Ashford was quoted in Reuters on US strikes against the Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq. “A lot of people suggest that the term ‘forever war’ is just emotive, but it’s actually a decent descriptor of the kind of strike we saw again (Sunday): no strategic goal, no endpoint in sight, […]

Defense Policy English

IranSource

Jun 29, 2021

If Raisi wants to improve the Iranian economy, price controls are where to start

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Lawmakers and government officials in Iran repeatedly revert to the same set of failed populistic economic policies, failing to make short-term sacrifices that benefit the country in the long term. One such policy is price controls, a favorite in the toolkit of Iranian policymakers, who have attempted to control persistently high inflation rates over the past decades, but obviously with no success.

Economy & Business Iran

Fast Thinking

Jun 28, 2021

FAST THINKING: What Biden’s airstrikes left behind

By Atlantic Council

What does this mean for the future of drone warfare and the US military presence in Iraq? Our experts sort through the fallout.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 28, 2021

Slavin joins Al Jazeera to discuss the prospects for reviving the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Elections

In the News

Jun 28, 2021

Tavakol quoted in MENAFN on Iran’s economic situation under Raisi

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Elections

In the News

Jun 28, 2021

Nasr in Foreign Policy: Why Raisi is the West’s best hope for a deal with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jun 26, 2021

Fulton quoted in South China Morning Post on China-Iran relations

By Atlantic Council

China Elections
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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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