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.

Kadhim quoted in the The Atlantic on the death of Soleimani

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
Kadhim quoted in the The Atlantic on the death of Soleimani

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
Kadhim quoted in the The Atlantic on the death of Soleimani

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

Jan 3, 2020

Kadhim quoted in the The Atlantic on the death of Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Blanford quoted in the Washington post on Hezbollah’s relationship with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Fontenrose interviewed on BBC UP All Night discussing protests at US embassy in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Interview begins at 01:07:10

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Warrick quoted in The Intercept discussing Tehran’s retaliation for the death of Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Bryza joins A News to discuss US airstrikes in Iran and Syria

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Slavin joins CGTN to discuss killing of Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in The Guardian warning of semi-unpredictable strikes from Iran

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Ullman in UPI: Don’t provoke a ‘Bay of Goats’ in Iran

By Harlan Ullman

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 3, 2020

Slavin interviewed on Bloomberg discussing the assassination of Qassim Soleimani in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Jan 3, 2020

Iran’s “living martyr” was ready to die, but blindsided oil markets must face new uncertainty

By Sara Vakhshouri

The immediate market reaction indicates that the common sense about this incident is that the US operation did not make the world and the Middle East region—which is responsible for significant volumes of global oil and gas production—a safer place but rather increased the instability and insecurity in the region.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

China Chinese

Fellow

Bahar Ghandehari

Junior Policy Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan English

Fellow

Michelle S. Giuda

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society
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