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.

Nimmo Quoted in Quartz on Iranian Influence Campaign Targeting Indians on Twitter

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

Nimmo Quoted in Quartz on Iranian Influence Campaign Targeting Indians on Twitter

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

Nimmo Quoted in Quartz on Iranian Influence Campaign Targeting Indians on Twitter

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

Nov 2, 2018

Nimmo Quoted in Quartz on Iranian Influence Campaign Targeting Indians on Twitter

By Ben Nimmo

Read the full article here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 1, 2018

A look at the implications of reimposed US sanctions on Iran

By Brian O'Toole

The sanctions that snap back into place on November 5 largely mirror those that the Obama administration lifted in January 2016.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Nov 1, 2018

Slavin in Axios: Trump Administration Blinks on “Zero” Oil Exports from Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran

IranSource

Nov 1, 2018

Q&A: Ex-Mossad chiefs discuss the Iranian threat

By Holly Dagres

IranSource interviewed several ex-heads of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, to ask their thoughts on Iran.

Iran Israel

In the News

Oct 31, 2018

Uskowi Joins VOA Persian Service to Discuss Iran’s Influence on Brazil Election
Iran

In the News

Oct 31, 2018

Burchfield in the National Interest: Iran Relies on Foreign Militias and Young Shia Muslims to Fight Its War in Syria

By Emily Burchfield

Read the full article here.

Iran

IranSource

Oct 30, 2018

The Future of the Dollar in a Post-Iran Deal World

By Michael B. Greenwald

The European Union’s announcement in September 2018 that it would begin to create a special payments channel with Iran in response to the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) once again raises the question of the role of the US dollar (USD) in the international economic order. Under the surface of […]

Iran

EconoGraphics

Oct 30, 2018

SWIFTly Disconnecting Iran

By Ole Moehr

With the snapback of significant US sanctions against Iran fast approaching on November 5th, speculation is mounting over how the Trump Administration will enforce the sanctions, and how its European allies might attempt to bypass them. The previous EconoGraphic outlined how a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) may facilitate trade between European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Iran after US sanctions go back into effect. This edition of the EconoGraphic provides a primer on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and explains why sanctioning the financial messaging service would likely cause more harm than good.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

IranSource

Oct 29, 2018

Why the Iranian Opposition’s Bet on Trump May Fail

By Maysam Behravesh

Much of the Iranian opposition abroad is thrilled with anticipation these days. It is looking forward to the resumption of US secondary sanctions against Iran’s oil industry and Central Bank on November 5, and the hard blow the Iranian economy is expected to take as a result. The opposition, along with some key members of […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2018

The future of the dollar in a post-Iran deal World

By Michael B. Greenwald

Some argue that if Iran shifted to euro-denominated transactions, it could spark a broader shift within energy exporting countries that would eventually weaken the USD as the reserve currency, as well as undermine the impact of future unilateral US sanctions.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion 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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