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 joins WorldAffairs to discuss US-Iran tensions

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 joins WorldAffairs to discuss US-Iran tensions

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 joins WorldAffairs to discuss US-Iran tensions

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

Jan 14, 2020

Slavin joins WorldAffairs to discuss US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Barbara Slavin of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council joins WorldAffairs co-host Ray Suarez to talk about what US actions mean for the Middle East and the rest of the world.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 14, 2020

Slavin in USA Today: Iran, US conflict: It’s time for the truth and de-escalation

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Jan 14, 2020

US-Iran relations: A cloudy 2020 forecast

By Sina Azodi

In the age of Twitter diplomacy, a breakthrough from the vicious cycle of US-Iran hostility would require statesmen in both capitals with the vision to break the stalemate and the courage to resist attacks.

Iran Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jan 13, 2020

Iran plane tragedy proves lessons of MH17 have not been learned

By Michael Bociurkiw

Amid the outpourings of anger and grief over the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane by Iran, the disaster also raises troubling questions about aviation security and the apparent failure to learn from past tragedies of this nature such as the 2014 MH17 attack.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 13, 2020

Nia and Dagres quoted in NBC on Iran protests

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 13, 2020

Kempe joins CNBC to discuss Iranian influence over Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iran Iraq

In the News

Jan 13, 2020

Charai in The Hill: The ‘Trump doctrine’ being born

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 12, 2020

Warrick quoted in USA Today on US-Iran conflict

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 12, 2020

Warrick quoted in USA Today on Iran’s missile attack on US air bases

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Energy markets underestimate Middle East supply vulnerability

By Adal Mirza

Buoyed by ample supply, global energy markets continue to underestimate risks to output from the Middle East, despite the recent escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security
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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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Events

Online Event Tue, March 24, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The future of Iran’s axis of resistance
Iran Iraq Israel Lebanon
Online Event Tue, March 31, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Holding enablers accountable: The Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in Russia’s drone war
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Iran