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.

Vakhsouri Quoted in Bloomberg on Iran President Rouhani’s Plan for Oil Industry

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

Vakhsouri Quoted in Bloomberg on Iran President Rouhani’s Plan for Oil Industry

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

Vakhsouri Quoted in Bloomberg on Iran President Rouhani’s Plan for Oil Industry

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

May 22, 2017

Vakhsouri Quoted in Bloomberg on Iran President Rouhani’s Plan for Oil Industry

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

May 22, 2017

Slavin Moderates Panel Discussion on Iran Elections

By Barbara Slavin

Watch the full interview here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 22, 2017

Iranians Vote for Competence Over Ideology

By Barbara Slavin

Iranians celebrated in the streets of their cities this past weekend out of relief that the most capable candidate on offer won the presidential election held on May 19. Incumbent President Hassan Rouhani’s solid victory over a younger and more hardline cleric, Ebrahim Raisi, was a triumph of competence over ideology and of openness over […]

Iran

In the News

May 19, 2017

Slavin Joins PRI’s The World to Discuss Iran’s Presidential Elections

By Barbara Slavin

Listen to the full interview here.

Iran

In the News

May 19, 2017

Alami in the New Arab: Assad Turns to Iran to Help ‘Stabilise’ Battered Economy

By Mona Alami

Read the full article here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2017

Arab Gulf States Set to Woo Trump

During US President Donald J. Trump’s upcoming trip to Riyadh, Gulf leaders will seek to portray themselves as capable partners for the United States in countering common threats, namely violent extremism and Iranian aggression, according to an Atlantic Council analyst. Throughout the summit, leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will “want to make […]

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

May 18, 2017

Slavin Joins France 24 to Discuss Iran Presidential Elections

By Barbara Slavin

Watch the full interview here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2017

Iran Faces Its Own Populist Test

By Kelly Russo

The outcome of its presidential election on May 19 will determine whether Iran is the next nation to succumb to a populist candidate seeking to upend the normative world order, according to an Atlantic Council analyst.    “This is going to be the next test in that wave,” following the election of US President Donald […]

Iran

FutureSource

May 17, 2017

Data Firms React to Iranian Presidential Showdown

By Brent M. Eastwood

This blog post is part of a series analyzing the newest forms of data forecasting. The Iranian presidential election has leapt into the headlines as two candidates feverishly make their final arguments to voters. President Hassan Rouhani and conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi have burst into the lead after two other hopefuls dropped out of the […]

Elections Iran

Video

May 17, 2017

Iran’s Presidential Election
Iran
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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
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Events

Online Event Tue, March 31, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Holding enablers accountable: The Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in Russia’s drone war
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Iran