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.

Featured commentary & analysis

Nia quoted in Al-Monitor: Personal cost of journalism, political activism in Iran remains high

MENASource May 14, 2026

Five ways the Iran war will forever alter the Middle East

By Amir Asmar

Expect the war to weaken the Iranian regime, keep the US in the Middle East, harm Israel’s standing in the region, and more.
Conflict Iran
Nia quoted in Al-Monitor: Personal cost of journalism, political activism in Iran remains high

MENASource Apr 1, 2026

The US should rethink Iran as a Southwest Asia challenge

By Mike Schoengold Beatty

Conventional instinct to treat Iran as another Iraq or Yemen risks misallocating resources and missing the real challenges ahead.
Iran Security & Defense
Nia quoted in Al-Monitor: Personal cost of journalism, political activism in Iran remains high

MENASource Mar 23, 2026

The Iran conflict exposes the new cost curve of war

By Nic Adams

The Pentagon must rapidly field innovative, lower-cost technologies alongside its exquisite capabilities, ensuring each is used where it delivers the greatest advantage.
Conflict Defense Industry

Programs

Iran Strategy Project

The Iran Strategy Project is designed to synchronize and bring together the Atlantic Council’s policy and analytical efforts on Iran under a single banner, reflecting the unprecedented level of discord and uncertainty in Iran.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our 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

Sep 12, 2019

Nia quoted in Al-Monitor: Personal cost of journalism, political activism in Iran remains high
Human Rights Iran

In the News

Sep 6, 2019

Slavin quoted in JNS on the possibility of US-Iran negotiations

By Atlantic Council

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

IranSource

Sep 5, 2019

Fighting corruption or just more political infighting in Iran?

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

A new crackdown on corruption in the Islamic Republic is roiling the country’s political elite and could have implications for the succession to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran

IranSource

Sep 3, 2019

Iran counters ‘Maximum Pressure’ by reaching out to the Kurds

By Tamer Badawi

Sensing the immense geopolitical challenges Iran is facing, these Kurdish groups—which seek autonomy through armed struggle—might be testing the waters amid mounting regional pressure on Tehran.

Crisis Management Iran

IranSource

Aug 30, 2019

Iran issues rare criticism of India over Kashmir

By Fatemeh Aman

In the past, Tehran has been careful to avoid antagonizing the government in New Delhi and has sought instead to bolster Iran-India ties and to balance Iran’s relations with India and Pakistan.

India Iran

Insights & Impact

Aug 29, 2019

Slavin quoted in The Atlantic on Iran’s targeting of the foundation for defense of democracies

By Atlantic Council

Iran

IranSource

Aug 27, 2019

It’s time to admit that we don’t understand Iran’s economy

By Esfandyar Batmanghelidj

The United States is pursuing an “economic war” on the basis of a very crude understanding of Iran’s economy. Should the goal of its sanctions policy be havoc, such an understanding will suffice.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Aug 27, 2019

Slavin quoted in Newsweek on the MEK

By Atlantic Council

Iran

In the News

Aug 27, 2019

Slavin joins France24 to discuss Trump’s Iran comments at G7

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Aug 23, 2019

The Trump administration’s Iran policy shows meager results

By Holly Dagres

Though there are differences between factions about how to confront the United States, the heavy US pressure on Tehran in recent months has led to a rally-around-the-flag effect as Iranians push back against what many view as a Western imperialism.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic

Expert

Nate Swanson

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, Iran Strategy Project

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East