How Iran’s new Quds Force commander could hurt the US in Afghanistan

New Atlanticist Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.
Economic Sanctions Iran
How Iran’s new Quds Force commander could hurt the US in Afghanistan

New Atlanticist Jun 26, 2025

What really happened to Fordow? Three possible futures for Iran’s nuclear program after US strikes.

By Amir Asmar

The condition of Fordow will have a direct impact on the likelihood of Iran giving up its nuclear program versus resuming its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iran Middle East
How Iran’s new Quds Force commander could hurt the US in Afghanistan

Fast Thinking Jun 24, 2025

The big lessons from 12 days of war with Iran

By Atlantic Council

A tentative cease-fire is underway in the war between Iran and Israel. But where did the conflict leave Iran, Israel, and the United States?
Conflict Iran

In-depth research & reports

Report

Oct 8, 2024

A bipartisan Iran strategy for the next US administration—and the next two decades

As tensions spike in the Middle East, how should the next US president approach Iran and its network of proxies including Hezbollah and Hamas? With a strategy that can be maintained for decades, by administrations of either party. A bipartisan, expert working group lays out the details.

Iran Middle East

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

IranSource

Mar 11, 2020

How Iran’s new Quds Force commander could hurt the US in Afghanistan

By Obaidullah Obaid

A US-Taliban peace deal leaves the possibility of Iran-sponsored proxy groups such as the Fatemiyoun Brigade or Taliban breakaway factions to go after the downsized US troop presence or other American targets in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Iran

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mar 8, 2020

Nia quoted in Elle (Italian) on women’s rights in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Iran

IranSource

Mar 5, 2020

Soleimani’s grave isn’t all hearts and roses, like Hezbollah fighters

By Lizzie Porter

While Hezbollah combatants looked up to the commander in life, their graves take on highly-personalized and vibrant forms that veer away from Qasem Soleimani's modest grave site.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 3, 2020

Ayatollah Mike and the IRGC’s growing credibility gap

By Emily Blout

The IRGC’s attempts to fudge the facts and manipulate the news is creating a credibility gap: a breach in trust between the people and the government.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Feb 28, 2020

Trump fights Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ in Latin America

By Giorgio Cafiero

With President Donald Trump in the White House and Mike Pompeo as his Secretary of State, the US is determined to eject Iranian influence from Latin America.

Iran Latin America

In the News

Feb 27, 2020

Max Brooks in the Washington Post: China barred my dystopian novel about how its system enables epidemics

By Atlantic Council

China Civil Society

In the News

Feb 26, 2020

Dagres quoted in Middle Easy Eye on Iran’s ability to address the coronavirus spread

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions Iran

IranSource

Feb 26, 2020

Factbox: The outcome of Iran’s 2020 parliamentary elections

By Arash Azizi

Now that the elections are over, this guide aims to illuminate its outcome and why there was a low turnout.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Feb 25, 2020

Cover-ups and incompetence: Iran as the Middle East’s coronavirus epicenter

By Brendon Hong

For now, Iran has not banned its citizens from traveling to China, which as of midnight on February 25 has confirmed nearly 65,000 infections within its border.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 24, 2020

Wechsler and Fontenrose in The Washington Post: How US allies in the Gulf can help prevent an Iranian October surprise

As the 2020 US presidential election ramps up, the Atlantic Council's Kirsten Fontenrose and William Wechsler write in The Washington Post on the threat of an October surprise from Iran.

Elections Iran
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Experts

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Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economic Sanctions

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

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Amanda J. Rothschild

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Iran

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism
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