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.

Content

Dispatches

Mar 20, 2026

Demand destruction has begun: What Sri Lanka reveals about the global energy crisis

By Phillip Cornell

The disruption to oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a systemic shock to energy markets, and Sri Lanka is on the front line.

Conflict Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 20, 2026

Temnycky in the Hill: Congress can boost US trade and strike a blow to Iran with Azerbaijan’s help

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 20, 2026

Cohen in Forbes: Russia and Iran are reshaping regional power in crisis and confrontation

By Atlantic Council

Europe & Eurasia Iran

In the News

Mar 19, 2026

Kaluderovic in Foreign Policy: The drone attrition tap

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

In the News

Mar 19, 2026

Kaluderovic in Fox News: Trump’s strike on Iran deals a major blow to Putin’s war machine in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 18, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Why Iran Was Always a Threat to the US

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

Mar 18, 2026

Six strategic risks the Trump administration should evaluate in the Iran war

By Nathan Freier

Risk assessments often boil down to one question: What is the likelihood that the chosen approach will deliver the desired outcomes at acceptable cost?

Conflict Iran
Man-standing-next-to-airplane-on-carrier

Podcast

Mar 18, 2026

Does the Iran war signal the end of economic statecraft?

By the GeoEconomics Center

From tariffs to sanctions, the Trump administration relied heavily on the geoeconomic toolkit in 2025. With the war in Iran and capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, has President Donald Trump lost his patience with these tools?

Economy & Business Iran

Dispatches

Mar 18, 2026

Europe should help in the Gulf to serve its own interests, regardless of Trump’s demands

By Daniel Fried, Jörn Fleck

European leaders have plenty of reasons to engage constructively with the United States and partners in the Middle East.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Mar 18, 2026

Now that the Iran war is here, the US must complete its mission

By Frederick Kempe

The US-Israeli operation in Iran is a historic opportunity to neutralize the Middle East’s greatest destabilizer over the past four decades.

Conflict Iran

Experts

Events