The drums of war

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

The drums of war

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

The drums of war

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.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

Content

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2019

The drums of war

By Nabeel Khoury

The Trump administration’s warning about an imminent attack by Iran in the Middle East appears to be unfounded and its escalation of pressure on Tehran part of a strategy to win concessions from the Islamic Republic.

Conflict Iran

In the News

May 20, 2019

Holly Dagres interviewed by The Monocle: The US vs Iran: Why Now?

By Holly Dagres

Read more here.

Iran

In the News

May 20, 2019

Holly Dagres quoted in Foreign Policy: Iran Is Scaring Off Its Friends, Too

By Holly Dagres

Iran

In the News

May 20, 2019

Slavin Quoted in CBC News on the Forces Leading to US-Iran Conflict

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

May 17, 2019

Ambassador Michel Duclos analyzes Iran tensions in Institut Montaigne

By Michel Duclos

Several developments have considerably increased the tension surrounding the Iranian issue in recent days. On the American side, the administration has included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (8 April) on the list of terrorist organizations, has then announced the end of the “waivers” from sanctions on oil purchases from Iran (22 April), added new sanctions against the […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2019

Iraq: In the crossfire of a potential US-Iran conflict?

By Abbas Kadhim

If a new conflict erupts in the region, it will complicate the situation for Iraq in some unimaginable ways, even if Iraq is not directly involved.

Iran Iraq

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2019

Europeans promise political and economic steps to salvage the Iran deal

By Barbara Slavin

The twenty-eight members of the European Union (EU) are united in support of an Iran policy that opposes a military confrontation and prioritizes the continued existence of the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

European Union Iran

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2019

Coherent US strategy seen key to effective sanctions

By David A. Wemer

“Sanctions can be a useful, precise, and effective tool of US foreign policy, so long as they are treated as a tool to implement a clear policy and a thought-out strategy,” David Mortlock said.

Economic Sanctions Iran

In the News

May 15, 2019

Barbara Slavin in the World Economic Forum – Geostrategy Platform: Q&A: The Iran–US crisis explained

By Barbara Slavin

Tensions are escalating in the Gulf between the US and Iran. Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani has said his country is suffering “unprecedented pressure” from international sanctions, which the US has tightened further. The landmark 2015 nuclear deal (known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA), signed between Iran and members of the United […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2019

On Iran, justified US fury without an endgame

By Todd Rosenblum

We’ve been here before. The Trump administration, like every US administration since Jimmy Carter was president, is dealing with a hostile Iran bent on undermining US and regional security interests across the Middle East and beyond.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation
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Experts

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Expert bio

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
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