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.

Dagres joins The Times to discuss the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist

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
Dagres joins The Times to discuss the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist

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
Dagres joins The Times to discuss the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist

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

Middle East Programs

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.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

Content

In the News

Dec 3, 2020

Dagres joins The Times to discuss the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist
Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 3, 2020

Slavin quoted in Newsweek on the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist
Iran Middle East

Fast Thinking

Dec 2, 2020

FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

By Atlantic Council

Now we know how Iran will respond to the assassination of its top nuclear scientist: with an ultimatum to the Biden administration. Tehran enacted a law today to immediately ramp up uranium enrichment—and to expel international nuclear inspectors if US sanctions aren’t lifted by early February, right after Joe Biden takes office. What does the move mean?

Elections Iran

In the News

Dec 2, 2020

Preble in Vox: Biden may have a foreign policy “inbox problem”

By Atlantic Council

Christopher Preble was quoted in Vox, speaking about the challenges a Biden administration may face when trying to act on big foreign policy goals.

English Iran

In the News

Dec 1, 2020

Slavin joins WHYY to discuss US-Iran relations in the final weeks of the Trump Administration
Elections Iran

IranSource

Dec 1, 2020

A top Baluchi terrorist was killed—how will this impact insurgencies in Iran?

By Fatemeh Aman

The killing of top terrorist Omar Shahoozi has no impact on the lives of the Baluch, who are some of the poorest ethnic minority groups in Iran.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Nov 30, 2020

Warrick joins Newsy to discuss the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

On November 30, Middle East Programs non-resident senior fellow Thomas Warrick gave an interview to Newsy on the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Nov 30, 2020

Slavin joins Mehdi Hasan on Peacock’s The Choice to discuss US-Iran relations in the final weeks of the Trump Administration
Elections Iran

In the News

Nov 30, 2020

Warrick in Newsy on the implications of Iranian nuclear scientist assassination

By Atlantic Council

On November 30, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Tom Warrick was interviewed by Newsy about the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist and the significance of this event to the United States and its allies.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Nov 28, 2020

Dagres joins BBC to discuss the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
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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