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 Business Insider on 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
Slavin quoted in Business Insider on 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
Slavin quoted in Business Insider on 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.

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Content

In the News

Dec 7, 2020

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

In the News

Dec 7, 2020

Dagres in the Prospect: Iran: the ironic republic
Iran Middle East

IranSource

Dec 4, 2020

Iranian reformists decry the assassination of a leading nuclear scientist

By Sydney Martin

The assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has caused reformists to rally behind their government in a way not seen for several years.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 4, 2020

Kroenig and Ashford discuss Iran, Biden’s national security team

By Atlantic Council

On December 4, 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 the killing of a senior Iranian nuclear scientist and its implications for US-Iran relations, and President-Elect Joe Biden’s picks for his […]

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

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
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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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