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.

Slavin Joins CGTN to Discuss US-Iran Tensions

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 Joins CGTN to Discuss US-Iran Tensions

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 Joins CGTN to Discuss US-Iran Tensions

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

In the News

May 22, 2019

Slavin Joins CGTN to Discuss US-Iran Tensions

Watch the full discussion here.

Iran

In the News

May 22, 2019

Holly Dagres quoted in The Los Angeles Times: Iran’s hard-liners outraged by viral videos of schoolchildren dancing

By Holly Dagres

Read the full article here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2019

The drums of war

By Nabeel Khoury

The Trump administration’s warning about an imminent attack by Iran in the Middle East appears to be unfounded and its escalation of pressure on Tehran part of a strategy to win concessions from the Islamic Republic.

Conflict Iran

In the News

May 20, 2019

Holly Dagres interviewed by The Monocle: The US vs Iran: Why Now?

By Holly Dagres

Read more here.

Iran

In the News

May 20, 2019

Holly Dagres quoted in Foreign Policy: Iran Is Scaring Off Its Friends, Too

By Holly Dagres

Iran

In the News

May 20, 2019

Slavin Quoted in CBC News on the Forces Leading to US-Iran Conflict

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

May 17, 2019

Ambassador Michel Duclos analyzes Iran tensions in Institut Montaigne

By Michel Duclos

Several developments have considerably increased the tension surrounding the Iranian issue in recent days. On the American side, the administration has included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (8 April) on the list of terrorist organizations, has then announced the end of the “waivers” from sanctions on oil purchases from Iran (22 April), added new sanctions against the […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 17, 2019

Iraq: In the crossfire of a potential US-Iran conflict?

By Abbas Kadhim

If a new conflict erupts in the region, it will complicate the situation for Iraq in some unimaginable ways, even if Iraq is not directly involved.

Iran Iraq

New Atlanticist

May 16, 2019

Europeans promise political and economic steps to salvage the Iran deal

By Barbara Slavin

The twenty-eight members of the European Union (EU) are united in support of an Iran policy that opposes a military confrontation and prioritizes the continued existence of the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

European Union Iran

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2019

Coherent US strategy seen key to effective sanctions

By David A. Wemer

“Sanctions can be a useful, precise, and effective tool of US foreign policy, so long as they are treated as a tool to implement a clear policy and a thought-out strategy,” David Mortlock said.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic

Expert

Nate Swanson

Resident Senior Fellow

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