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.

Featured commentary & analysis

Slavin Joins KEI to Discuss Nuclear Challenges for the United States

MENASource
May 14, 2026

Five ways the Iran war will forever alter the Middle East

By
Amir Asmar

Expect the war to weaken the Iranian regime, keep the US in the Middle East, harm Israel’s standing in the region, and more.

Conflict
Iran

Slavin Joins KEI to Discuss Nuclear Challenges for the United States

MENASource
Apr 1, 2026

The US should rethink Iran as a Southwest Asia challenge

By
Mike Schoengold Beatty

Conventional instinct to treat Iran as another Iraq or Yemen risks misallocating resources and missing the real challenges ahead.

Iran
Security & Defense

Slavin Joins KEI to Discuss Nuclear Challenges for the United States

MENASource
Mar 23, 2026

The Iran conflict exposes the new cost curve of war

By
Nic Adams

The Pentagon must rapidly field innovative, lower-cost technologies alongside its exquisite capabilities, ensuring each is used where it delivers the greatest advantage.

Conflict
Defense Industry

Programs

Iran Strategy Project

The Iran Strategy Project is designed to synchronize and bring together the Atlantic Council’s policy and analytical efforts on Iran under a single banner, reflecting the unprecedented level of discord and uncertainty in Iran.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our 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

Mar 8, 2018

Slavin Joins KEI to Discuss Nuclear Challenges for the United States

By Barbara Slavin

Watch the full discussion here

Iran

In the News

Mar 5, 2018

Cohen Joins CNBC Africa to Discuss Iran Nuclear Threat

By Ariel Cohen

Watch the full discussion here

Iran

In the News

Mar 4, 2018

Alfoneh in Arab Weekly: Violence Against Sufis Reflects Intolerance of Islamic Republic

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Mar 1, 2018

Alfoneh in Middle East Institute: Infiltration of Iran’s Quds Force Into Iraq’s Economy

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

IranSource

Mar 1, 2018

Wrestling Chief Joins Others Refusing to Play Iran’s Game

By Barbara Slavin

For 40 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has imposed strict rules about a wide variety of matters, from personal appearance to contact with people from adversarial nations. In this winter of discontent, however, more and more Iranians are refusing to abide by regulations that they regard as stifling and self-defeating. The latest is Rasoul […]

Iran

In the News

Feb 28, 2018

Alfoneh in Middle East Institute: Iran and the Prospect for Regional Water Wars

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 27, 2018

Alfoneh in Middle East Institute: Tehran Fails to Appreciate European Efforts to Preserve the Nuclear Deal

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

Webcasts

Feb 26, 2018

The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy
Arms Control China

In the News

Feb 25, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Iran Wants Return on Investments From Syria, Well… Just Like Russia

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 25, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Tehran’s Paranoia Breeds New, Strange Spy Cases

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

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

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 Senior Fellow

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

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
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