Iran

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 The Hill on COVID-19 vaccines from the US

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 The Hill on COVID-19 vaccines from the US

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 The Hill on COVID-19 vaccines from the US

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 29, 2020

Slavin quoted in The Hill on COVID-19 vaccines from the US
Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Dec 26, 2020

Tavakol quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Iranian economy
Economy & Business Iran

IranSource

Dec 23, 2020

Zam: The family that picked their son over the revolution

By Arash Azizi

The regime’s forty-one-year history is filled with fathers who didn’t mourn the killing of their children by the republic they served.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 21, 2020

Slavin joined TRT World to discuss the execution of journalist Ruhollah Zam
Iran Middle East

Fast Thinking

Dec 21, 2020

Can Bibi and Biden get along?

By Shalom Lipner and Katherine Wolff

Few world leaders have been as close to Donald Trump as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has pushed policies—from suspected covert attacks against Iran to expanded settlements in the West Bank—that will likely antagonize the US president-elect.

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Dec 21, 2020

Mulder featured in DOD Reads on “Battlegrounds”

By Atlantic Council

On December 21, Forward Defense senior military fellow Lt Col Christopher Mulder’s book review on H.R. McMaster’s “Battlegrounds” was featured in DOD Reads.

China Cybersecurity

In the News

Dec 16, 2020

Nia in Dawn MENA: Can Mohammad bin Salman Be Held Accountable in Canadian Courts?
Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In-Depth Research & Reports

Dec 15, 2020

A guide to illicit Iranian weapon transfers: The Bahrain file

By Tim Michetti

A new report by illicit weapon flows expert Tim Michetti offers a comprehensive, field-based case study on illicit Iranian weapon flows. The report is based on a confidential assessment of the materiel procurement networks of militants operating inside Bahrain.

Iran Middle East

Press Release

Dec 14, 2020

Nadereh Chamlou joins the Atlantic Council

Former Senior Advisor at the World Bank joins the Middle East Programs Future of Iran Initiative.

Economy & Business English

In the News

Dec 14, 2020

Azodi quoted in TRT World on US-Iran tensions
Iran Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Fellow

Mark N. Katz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Fellow

Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union

Staff

Matthew Kroenig

Vice President, Geostrategy and Fellows and Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Staff

Andrew L. Peek

Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Intelligence

Fellow

Keir Lieber

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy
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