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.

Jonathan Fulton mentioned in the Daily O: A Volatile Persian Gulf: US-Iran tensions have spiked. Their conflict is being closely watched by Russia and China

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

Jonathan Fulton mentioned in the Daily O: A Volatile Persian Gulf: US-Iran tensions have spiked. Their conflict is being closely watched by Russia and China

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

Jonathan Fulton mentioned in the Daily O: A Volatile Persian Gulf: US-Iran tensions have spiked. Their conflict is being closely watched by Russia and China

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

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Content

In the News

Jun 21, 2019

Jonathan Fulton mentioned in the Daily O: A Volatile Persian Gulf: US-Iran tensions have spiked. Their conflict is being closely watched by Russia and China

By Jonathan Fulton

Read More Here

Iran

In the News

Jun 21, 2019

Barbara Slavin quotes in Yahoo News: Amid risk of US-Iran war, why presidential signaling is key

By Barbara Slavin

Read More Here

Iran

In the News

Jun 21, 2019

Holly Dagres quoted in DW: US ‘approved strikes on Iran,’ then suddenly called them off

By Holly Dagres

Read More Here

Iran

In the News

Jun 21, 2019

Charai in Politico: Trump Has a Point on Iran. So Do the Democrats.

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Iran

IranSource

Jun 21, 2019

Is Trump just an excuse for Khamenei’s rejectionism?

By Shahir Shahidsaless

Iran shot down a US military drone near the Persian Gulf, increasing fears of an armed conflict between Tehran and Washington. Against this backdrop, the path to talks between the two governments appears blocked.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2019

Iran’s attack on US drone escalates tensions in the Gulf

By David A. Wemer

Barbara Slavin believes the string of incidents over the last several weeks means “it is time for diplomats to meet to discuss ways of getting out of this mess.”

Drones Iran

MENASource

Jun 20, 2019

Iranian environmentalism: Its origins and evolution

By David Laylin

In January 2018, eight members of the non-profit wildlife conservation Non-Governmental Organization, the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF), were arrested and held in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.

Iran

In the News

Jun 20, 2019

Barbara Slavin quoted in the National Interest: Will Trump Triumph in Iran?

By Barbara Slavin

Read More Here

Iran

In the News

Jun 20, 2019

Barbara Slavin quotes in KXLY.com: Trump, Bolton debate how to deal with Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Read More Here

Iran

IranSource

Jun 19, 2019

Iran looks to Chabahar and a new transit corridor to survive US sanctions

By Aveek Sen

The Trump administration has exempted the Chabahar port from US sanctions as a gesture toward India, which sees the outpost as a means of facilitating trade with Afghanistan. However, its true potential requires more integration between Iran and among Central Asian states.

Iran
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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