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.

Katz in The National: “What U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Talks Reveal About the Iran 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
Katz in The National: “What U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Talks Reveal About the Iran 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
Katz in The National: “What U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Talks Reveal About the Iran 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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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

Jun 11, 2021

Katz in The National: “What U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Talks Reveal About the Iran Nuclear Deal”

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

IranElections2021

Jun 11, 2021

Saeed Jalili: The former nuclear negotiator that rubs diplomats the wrong way

By Saeid Jafari

Saeed Jalili can be seen as a back-up candidate, who is gradually depicting himself to be a serious challenge.

Elections Iran

IranElections2021

Jun 10, 2021

With a Raisi presidency, would the Iran nuclear deal remain on the table?

By Raz Zimmt

Although Ebrahim Raisi's positions are indeed more hardline than President Hassan Rouhani's, he does not, in principle, oppose a return to the JCPOA.

Elections Iran

In the News

Jun 9, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Politico on the expiration of the UN arms embargo on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Defense Policy

In the News

Jun 9, 2021

Slavin quoted in Tehran Times on how reviving the JCPOA can cool tensions in West Asia

By Atlantic Council

Elections Iran

In the News

Jun 8, 2021

Slavin joins TRT World to discuss accusations against Iran’s Guardian Council for rigging the presidential elections

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Elections

In the News

Jun 7, 2021

Azodi in The Bulletin: “Iran elections and the nuclear deal: Why Biden can’t lose, no matter who wins”

By Atlantic Council

Elections Iran

In the News

Jun 7, 2021

Slavin quoted in Arab News the future of US-Iran relations under Raisi

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Elections

In the News

Jun 3, 2021

Ortagus discusses Biden’s approach to China and Iran on Fox News

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center senior advisor Morgan Ortagus was featured on Fox News’s Special Report on Thursday, June 3, to discuss the origins of COVID-19 and the Iran deal. She urged Western nations to demand a credible investigation into the outbreak of COVID-19 and argued against reviving the Iran nuclear deal.

China Coronavirus

IranSource

Jun 3, 2021

Iran just lost one of its largest ships. It’s a major embarrassment.

By Robert Czulda

In the early hours of June 2, the venerable Iranian supply ship Kharg caught fire and sank in the Gulf of Oman. The loss is a major setback for the Islamic Republic, exposing not only the poor readiness of the Iranian armed forces, but also the lethality of Iran’s military equipment to its own soldiers.

Iran Middle East
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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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