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.

Multiple elections could boost hardline victories 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
Multiple elections could boost hardline victories 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
Multiple elections could boost hardline victories 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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Content

IranElections2021

Mar 5, 2021

Multiple elections could boost hardline victories in Iran

By Anonymous

There are no definite candidates yet in the reformist-moderate camp for obvious reasons—they are likely to lose. Unless there is a drastic change in the political or economic atmosphere that can guarantee a bigger turnout, the candidates of this camp do not have any chance of winning.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Mar 5, 2021

Kroenig and Ashford debate Biden’s strike against Iranian-backed militia and what it means for US-Iran negotiations

By Atlantic Council

On March 5, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss Biden’s retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed proxies, the potential for negotiations with Iran, and what a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran might […]

Iran Iraq

In the News

Mar 4, 2021

Nasr in Foreign Policy: The Middle East’s next conflicts won’t be between Arab States and Iran

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 4, 2021

Kroenig appears on Al Jazeera to discuss President Biden’s strike on Iranian-backed militia

By Atlantic Council

On February 26, Matthew Kroenig appeared on Al Jazeera where he discussed President Biden’s strike on an Iranian-backed militia, in response to a rocket attack against US forces.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Mar 3, 2021

How to normalize the Iraq-Iran relationship

By Andrew L. Peek

Of course, no country exists in a vacuum, but there are certain clarifications of the relationship between the two countries that every Iraqi should support—and Americans should insist upon.

Iran Iraq

In the News

Mar 2, 2021

Burrows quoted in The Mobilist: Could your electric vehicle be sabotaged?

By Atlantic Council

Americas China

In the News

Mar 1, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Vox on Biden’s handling of Saudi Arabia and Iran
Iran Middle East

IranElections2021

Mar 1, 2021

Saeed Mohammad: The young face of the IRGC weighing his political options

By Sina Azodi

Even if Saeed Mohammad does not run in the June elections, he will still remain an influential figure and a rising star within the IRGC cadre, who is likely to play a larger role within the Islamic Republic’s political establishment.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Slavin quoted in Politico on Iran’s nuclear stockpile
Iran Middle East
Forward Defense and Seizing the Advantage

Fast Thinking

Feb 26, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden’s first bombing

By Atlantic Council

What does the strike signal about Joe Biden’s simultaneous efforts to re-engage Iran in talks to revive their nuclear deal? And what does it suggest about how the president will approach military action and the American presence in the Middle East?

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation
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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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