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

Blood money decision advances women’s rights in Iran

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

Blood money decision advances women’s rights in Iran

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

Blood money decision advances women’s rights in Iran

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

IranSource

Aug 5, 2019

Blood money decision advances women’s rights in Iran

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

In early June, Iran’s Supreme Court upheld a law deciding that blood money—compensation paid to relatives for the death or injury of a family member—would be equal between men and women and no longer would a woman’s compensation be worth half of a man's.

Iran

In the News

Aug 4, 2019

Dagres quoted in the Independent on Iran’s seizure of an oil tanker

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

Uncategorized

Aug 2, 2019

Slavin quoted in the National Interest on US sanctions on Iran
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

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
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Experts

Fellow

Mark N. Katz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Fellow

Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union
Andrew L. Peek

Staff

Andrew L. Peek

Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Intelligence

Fellow

Keir Lieber

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Fellow

Rob Macaire

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Carmiel Mahony

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism
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