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 Tehran Times on the revival of the JCPOA

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 Tehran Times on the revival of the JCPOA

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 Tehran Times on the revival of the JCPOA

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

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Content

In the News

Jan 27, 2021

Slavin quoted in Tehran Times on the revival of the JCPOA
Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 27, 2021

IranSource blog quoted in the Washington Post
Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 26, 2021

Nawaz joins CGTN to discuss U.S. troop withdrawals

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Jan 26, 2021

Nawaz joins Dawn News for an interview to discuss: Why not debate issues openly?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan India

IranElections2021

Jan 25, 2021

Iran’s hardliners think Biden might hurt their June presidential election strategy

By Saeid Jafari

Hardliners had hoped that Donald Trump’s re-election would help them to oust the reformist and moderate candidates in June’s presidential election. Now hardliners are concerned that the new US administration will destroy their plans.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 24, 2021

Slavin quoted in the Daily Beast on US-Iran policy under the Biden administration
Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 21, 2021

Slavin quoted in Haaretz on reentering the nuclear deal
Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 21, 2021

Slavin joins Roqe Media to discuss Iranians in the new Biden Era
Elections Iran

In the News

Jan 21, 2021

Dagres quoted in VOA on Trump’s Iran social media campaign
Iran Media

Global Energy Forum

Jan 20, 2021

Why Iran could top Biden’s Middle East agenda

By Larry Luxner

Each crisis represents a major US foreign-policy challenge, but all may receive less attention from the new American administration than another pressing issue in the region: Iran’s recent nuclear advances.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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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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