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.

Nia quoted in the Star Observer on 20 year-old gay man killed in Iran

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
Nia quoted in the Star Observer on 20 year-old gay man killed in Iran

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
Nia quoted in the Star Observer on 20 year-old gay man killed in Iran

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

May 5, 2021

Nia quoted in the Star Observer on 20 year-old gay man killed in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Human Rights

IranSource

May 5, 2021

The Iran terror trial verdict could forever change terror trials in Europe

By Sarah Kay

The significance of the proceedings and the verdict stand to permanently change the way European law and member states investigate and try terrorism cases.

Human Rights Iran

In the News

May 4, 2021

Azodi in Limes Online: “Biden’s election raised hopes for the diplomatic revival of the deal. But is ‘Maximum Pressure’ actually continuing?”

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Apr 30, 2021

Déby’s death: A microcosm of the flaws of French foreign policy in Libya

By Emadeddin Badi

Far from being the sole architect of his premature death, the conditions that led to Chadian President Idriss Déby’s passing are also a direct byproduct of the myopic policies of his main Western ally—France—in neighboring Libya.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Apr 29, 2021

Slavin quoted in VOA on Iran’s election to UN Women’s Rights Commission
Human Rights Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2021

Adding an Ishmael Track to the Abraham Accords: How to pursue détente between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Most Middle East observers thought that they would never see normalization between Arabs and Israelis in their lifetimes. Now that we have seen this step taken—this chasm jumped—there is no reason not to envision Arab-Iranian normalization if the regimes prioritize long-term national interests like their economies, their self-sufficiency, and the future well-being of their publics. This roadmap is theirs for the taking.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

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

IranSource

Apr 29, 2021

COVID-19 depressed women’s employment everywhere, and more so in Iran

By Nadereh Chamlou

In Iran, the closures and the pandemic have depressed women’s already low economic participation rates by about 20 percent. However, even during periods of relatively high economic rates of growth, female labor force participation and unemployment rates have remained unmoved.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Apr 28, 2021

Charai in The Hill: Allies will make the difference in exiting Afghanistan, dealing with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Within recent weeks, the Biden administration has made clear its priority goals in Central Asia: withdrawal from Afghanistan and renewed outreach to Iran. US cooperation with allies will be the key to achieving these goals, argues Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai.

Afghanistan Iran

IranSource

Apr 28, 2021

Russia secretly feared the Iran nuclear deal. Here’s why.

By Mark N. Katz

Even if the US and Iran do find common ground over the JCPOA, Moscow no longer needs to fear that it will lead to a broader US-Iran detente as there are too many other issues that Washington and Tehran disagree over.

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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