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.

Three decades after Khomeini’s death, his clan rules from the sidelines

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

Three decades after Khomeini’s death, his clan rules from the sidelines

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

Three decades after Khomeini’s death, his clan rules from the sidelines

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.

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Content

IranSource

Jun 4, 2019

Three decades after Khomeini’s death, his clan rules from the sidelines

By Arash Azizi

“Your smile smells of someone who stays, so stay! Make me a poet again, make me fall in endless love.” These cheesy lines are from a Persian language Instagram post on May 25 by Fatemeh Daneshpajooh dedicated to the 21st birthday of her husband, Ahmad.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2019

Senior pentagon official warns of Moscow’s ambitions in the Middle East

By David A. Wemer

Russia’s support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria is just the beginning of Moscow’s designs on the wider Middle East, Kathryn Wheelbarger, acting US assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, warned on May 30.

Iran Middle East

Event Recap

Jun 3, 2019

Event Recap: Senior Pentagon Official Warns of Moscow’s Ambitions in the Middle East

By David A. Wemer

This recap originally appeared in The New Atlanticist. Watch the video.  Russia’s support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria is just the beginning of Moscow’s designs on the wider Middle East, Kathryn Wheelbarger, acting US assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, warned on May 30.

Iran Russia

IranSource

Jun 3, 2019

US sanctions are causing medicine shortages, according to Iranians

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

The re-imposition of US sanctions since President Donald Trump abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018 has had a devastating effect on the Iranian economy and has especially impacted the lives of those who struggle to provide medicine for themselves and their families.

Iran

In the News

Jun 2, 2019

Abbas Kadhim quoted in the Arab Weekly: Washington experts see risks in US-Iran showdown in Iraq

By Abbas Kadhim

Read More Here

Iran

Insights & Impact

Jun 1, 2019

Geo-economics: Russia and Iran in Syria

Faysal Itani This article examines two dimensions of a broader analysis of the geo-economics of reconstruction in Syria: the actions of Iran and Russia in the context of their interests and capabilities. The analysis identifies overlaps and conflicts among these interests and examines the larger geo-economic and geo-political implications. A comprehensive survey of Iranian and […]

Economy & Business Iran

MENASource

May 31, 2019

Deciphering the rhetoric and posturing of US-Iran tensions

By Mona Alami

Since his election, US President Donald Trump has pursued a maximum pressure policy toward Iran, in an attempt to push Tehran back to the negotiating table. Yet, despite increasing US pressure on Iran, tit for tat statements, and subversive operations in the Persian Gulf, Tehran is far from willing to antagonize Washington to the point of no return.

Iran

IranSource

May 31, 2019

How US sanctions hinder Iranians’ access to medicine

By Sina Azodi

The United States has over the past four decades imposed a wide range of economic sanctions to punish Iran for a number of undesired policies. While Trump administration officials continue to insist that food and medicine are exempt from US sanctions, and that sanctions do not hurt the Iranian people, evidence suggests that unilateral sanctions are collectively punishing the Iranian population by denying them adequate and reliable access to medicine.

Iran

In the News

May 29, 2019

Rosenblum in The Hill: Why Intelligence Officials Need to Brief Congress on Iranian Threats

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

May 29, 2019

Holly Dagres quoted in Mondoweiss: Israeli ‘intelligence’ is fostering US bellicosity toward Iran — but ‘quietly’

By Holly Dagres

Read More Here

Iran Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation

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

Staff

Matthew Kroenig

Vice President, Geostrategy and Fellows and Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Staff

Andrew L. Peek

Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Intelligence

Fellow

Keir Lieber

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy
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