Sanctioning Iran’s top diplomat increases chance for US-Iran war

Dispatches
Jan 28, 2026

The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

By
Jason M. Brodsky and Danny Citrinowicz

As the USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East, two experts debate the opportunities, uncertainties, and risks of a US strike on Iran.

Iran
Middle East

Sanctioning Iran’s top diplomat increases chance for US-Iran war

Dispatches
Jan 23, 2026

What Trump could do next in Iran

By
Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?

Iran
Middle East

Sanctioning Iran’s top diplomat increases chance for US-Iran war

MENASource
Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By
Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

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IranSource

Aug 1, 2019

Sanctioning Iran’s top diplomat increases chance for US-Iran war

By Barbara Slavin

Running out of targets for sanctions, the Trump administration has now put Iran’s chief diplomat on its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.

Iran

In the News

Aug 1, 2019

Slavin in Axios on US sanctions on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Jul 31, 2019

Duclos quoted in Le Monde on US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion French

IranSource

Jul 31, 2019

The IRGC should be held accountable for rights abuses

By Gissou Nia

Up until recently, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was an organization relatively unknown to the American public. However, with the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran threatening to boil over into actual military confrontation, and the IRGC’s announcements of downing an American drone and seizing oil tankers, the increasing references to this group in the mainstream news and on social media may soon make it a household name.

Human Rights Iran

In the News

Jul 31, 2019

Tavakol quoted in Anadolu Agency: Sanction-hit Iran to slash zeros from falling currency
Iran
Iranian Weapons Materiel on Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

Issue Brief

Jul 30, 2019

Avenues for conflict in the Gulf: A matrix game simulation

By John Watts

Iran faces increasing pressure domestically and internationally, while simultaneously perceiving a historic opportunity to reshape regional dynamics through multiple regional conflicts. This convergence creates conditions that could lead to a strategic shock, and which warrant serious consideration.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jul 29, 2019

Slavin quoted in the Los Angeles Times on Iranian opposition group MEK

By Barbara Slavin

Iran

IranSource

Jul 29, 2019

Lebanon is incapable of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701

By David Daoud

On its thirteen anniversary, UN Security Council Resolution 1701—intended to degrade and disarm the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah—is no closer to fulfilment than on the day it was passed.

Iran Israel

Inflection Points

Jul 27, 2019

Trump’s Iran moment

By Frederick Kempe

President Trump’s maximum pressure and Iran’s escalating responses have increased the risks of conflict. They have also brought a new chance of resolution that may become the most significant test yet of President Trump’s ability to transform his disruptive foreign policy into positive outcomes.

Iran

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Slavin quoted in Lobe Log on escalating Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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Experts

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Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

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Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

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Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

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Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

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Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

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