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.

Uskowi in Foreign Policy: Iran’s Changing of the Guards

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

Uskowi in Foreign Policy: Iran’s Changing of the Guards

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

Uskowi in Foreign Policy: Iran’s Changing of the Guards

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

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Content

In the News

Apr 30, 2019

Uskowi in Foreign Policy: Iran’s Changing of the Guards

By Nader Uskowi

Read the full article here

Iran

IranSource

Apr 29, 2019

Is Iran running out of patience with nuclear agreements?

By Barbara Slavin

Ever since the Trump administration came to office, it has been applying pressure on Iran without provoking a new proliferation crisis. But the days of Donald Trump having his baklava, so to speak, and eating it too may be drawing to a close.

Iran

In the News

Apr 27, 2019

Johnston in Axios: U.S. Sanctions On Iranian Oil Leave Slim Margin For Future Shocks

By Robert "RJ" Johnston

Read the full article here

Iran

IranSource

Apr 26, 2019

Forgiveness: A growing anti-death penalty movement in Iran

By Tara Sepehri Far

With 253 executions in 2018—including six people executed for offenses they allegedly committed as children—Iran is still among the world’s leading executioners, according to Amnesty International’s recent annual report on global trends in executions. Yet executions in Iran dropped by half last year, from 507 in 2017.

Iran

In the News

Apr 24, 2019

Slavin Quoted in Ecns on Oppositions to U.S. Ban on Iran Oil Export

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Apr 24, 2019

Fried Quoted in The Telegraph on US Sanctions On Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

By Daniel Fried

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Apr 23, 2019

Slavin Quoted in The Hill on Democrats Intent to Re-enter JCPOA

By Barbara Slavin

Iran

In the News

Apr 23, 2019

Slavin Joins WBUR to Discuss Tightened US Sanctions on Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Listen to the full discussion here

Iran

In the News

Apr 23, 2019

Bryza Joins indusdotnews to Discuss the Ending of Waivers of Sanctions on Iran’s Oil Exports.

By Matthew Bryza

Watch the full discussion here

Iran

IranSource

Apr 23, 2019

Trump’s gamble on Iranian oil exports may not play out the way he expects

By David Mortlock

On April 22, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the Trump Administration will not grant any exceptions from sanctions for entities involved in the purchase of petroleum products from Iran. The Trump administration’s apparent decision to compel buyers to zero out their purchases of Iranian oil is likely to have dramatic consequences on the effectiveness of sanctions on Iran and the markets, with the potential to negatively impact both.

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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