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.

Content

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2025

If diplomacy and Israel’s efforts fall short, Trump should bomb Fordow to end the war

By Jonathan Panikoff

At the end of the current war, Iran will have a viable nuclear program, or it won’t. The future of the Middle East will be driven by the answer.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Jun 18, 2025

Dispatch from Jerusalem: Inside Israel’s bunkers as Iran war erupts

By Sarah Zaaimi

The stakes are higher as two opposing rhetorics about the region's future are at play: Pan-Abrahamism and Revolutionary Islamism.

Civil Society Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

What comes next in the Iran-Israel war, from a US response to energy impacts

By Katherine Golden

RBC Capital Markets' Helima Croft and the Atlantic Council's Brett McGurk discussed the energy and security risks resulting from the Iran-Israel war.

Conflict Energy & Environment

Transcript

Jun 17, 2025

The energy risks of escalation in the Middle East, according to Brett McGurk and Helima Croft

By Atlantic Council

At the 2025 Global Energy Forum, Croft and McGurk talked about possible US responses to the Iran-Israel war and the potential energy impacts of escalation.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

Econographics

Jun 17, 2025

Anonymous shell companies pose a threat to US national security. Here is how to address it.

By Julie Brinn Siegel

On March 26, the Department of the Treasury scrapped critical federal rules that would have made most anonymous shell companies illegal. The rules would also have prevented them from being abused by drug cartels, human traffickers, foreign adversaries like Iran and China, terrorist groups, and other bad actors.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Donovan and Nikoladze cited in Foreign Policy on the systems of sanction evasion between China and Iran

Read the full article here

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Jun 17, 2025

Why Hezbollah is unlikely to engage in the Israel-Iran war—for now

By David Daoud

As wave after wave of Israeli jets continue to strike Iran, Tehran's proxy on Israel’s northern border remains quiet.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jun 16, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) on the Israel-Iran war

By Atlantic Council experts

The escalation between Israel and Iran has raised many important questions about a region already facing crises on multiple fronts.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 16, 2025

How the US can reduce the risk of wider war in the Middle East

By Caroline Zier

Five steps taken now can help put the White House in a better position to manage the spiral of escalation between Israel and Iran.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Kroenig quoted in Time on Israel’s strikes on Iran

On June 13, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in Time on the motivations behind the airstrikes Israel directed at Iranian nuclear sites, as well as its military leaders and scientists.

Conflict Iran

Experts