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 interviewed in Gulf International Forum on US-Iran Tension

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 interviewed in Gulf International Forum on US-Iran Tension

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 interviewed in Gulf International Forum on US-Iran Tension

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

Jun 13, 2019

Slavin interviewed in Gulf International Forum on US-Iran Tension

Watch the full discussion here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2019

Only US concessions can bring Iran to the negotiating table

By David A. Wemer

Iranian supreme leader rebuffs Japanese prime minister’s attempt at mediation.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

IranSource

Jun 13, 2019

Iranian society shaken by former mayor’s murder of his wife

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

In Iran, as in other societies, citizens wish to see those in high political office as exemplars of positive values and ideals such as virtue, decency and morality.

Iran

In the News

Jun 12, 2019

Holly Dagres interviewed in BBC Newsroom: Could Iran-Japan talks lead to a Trump summit?

By Holly Dagres

Read More Here

Iran Japan

In the News

Jun 12, 2019

Slavin Quoted in Think Progress On Japanese PM’s Visit to Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran Japan

In the News

Jun 12, 2019

Slavin Quoted in Jewish News Syndicate on IAEA Reports of Iranian Production of Low-Enriched Uranium

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran

IranSource

Jun 12, 2019

A decade after Iran’s Green Movement, some lessons

By Borzou Daragahi

To those on the ground, the vote result was obviously rigged. The margin of victory by incumbent hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was grossly out of line with previous and subsequent Iranian election results with high turnouts.

Iran

In the News

Jun 11, 2019

Holly Dagres quoted in the National: Freed Nizar Zakka blasts ‘sham’ trial in Iran

By Holly Dagres

Read More Here

Iran

Event Recap

Jun 11, 2019

Sanctions Lunch with Brian Hook: Prospects for the United States’ Maximum Pressure Campaign on Iran

By Global Business & Economics

On June 11, the Atlantic Council’s Global Business & Economics Program’s Economic Sanctions Initiative hosted a roundtable discussion on the prospects of the United States’ maximum pressure campaign on Iran, featuring Brian Hook, US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State.

Economy & Business European Union
Lunch with Hook and Sanctions

Program Impact Story

Jun 11, 2019

Sanctions lunch with Brian Hook: Prospects for the Untied States’ maximum pressure campaign on Iran

By Atlantic Council

The Global Business and Economics (GBE) program hosted Brian Hook, US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State. The conversation focused on current US sanctions strategy regarding Iran, and he outlined the Trump administration’s rationale behind both the withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal and the maximum pressure campaign. […]

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion 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
Public Event Fri, March 27, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

How Ukraine’s drones and Russia’s reconnaissance fit into the Iran war
Conflict Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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