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.

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Revolution Day in Iran: No Cause for Celebration

Dispatches
Jan 28, 2026

The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

By
Jason M. Brodsky and Danny Citrinowicz

As the USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East, two experts debate the opportunities, uncertainties, and risks of a US strike on Iran.

Iran
Middle East

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Revolution Day in Iran: No Cause for Celebration

Dispatches
Jan 23, 2026

What Trump could do next in Iran

By
Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?

Iran
Middle East

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Revolution Day in Iran: No Cause for Celebration

MENASource
Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By
Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

Civil Society
Crisis Management

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.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

Content

In the News

Feb 18, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Revolution Day in Iran: No Cause for Celebration

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 15, 2018

Slavin in The American Conservative: After the Protests, Iranian Anger Still Simmers

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 14, 2018

Slavin Quoted in The Persian Blog of Kings on Iran’s Political Future Event

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 12, 2018

Alami in Asharq Al-Awsat: The Disruptive Regional Role of Iran’s Ideology

By Mona Alami

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 10, 2018

Vajdich Quoted in Foreign Policy on Politics Around the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Daniel Vajdich

Read the full article here

Iran
BastilleDayTrumpFeature

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2018

Donald Trump Is Not the Only One Who Likes a Grand Parade

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump wants a military parade—a grand military parade. Trump, reportedly inspired by the Bastille Day parade he witnessed in Paris last summer, has asked the Pentagon to organize a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington that [wait for it] tops the French. The reaction to Trump’s plan has ranged from skepticism […]

China France

EconoGraphics

Feb 6, 2018

Secondary Sanctions: A First Glance

By Ole Moehr

This edition of our EconoGraphic blog explains the difference between primary and secondary sanctions, outlines how secondary sanctions work, and uses a case study to demonstrate how the United States employs secondary sanctions in the real economy.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 4, 2018

Alfoneh in the Arab Weekly: After Public Humiliation by the IRGC, is it the End of Khamenei’s Era?

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

Event Recap

Feb 2, 2018

Iranian Public Opinion after the Protests

In the aftermath of widespread protests in more than 100 cities in Iran, a new public opinion poll conducted by the Center for International Security Studies at Maryland, in conjunction with IranPoll.com, suggests that the overwhelming majorities of Iranians agree with protestors’ critiques of government economic performance. On Friday, February 2, the Atlantic Council’s Future […]

Iran

In the News

Feb 2, 2018

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Latest Iran Poll Suggests Trump Rhetoric Benefits Hard-liners

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran
Load More

Experts

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

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

China Chinese
Load More