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.

Russian-Iranian military cooperation: How much can they depend on each other?

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
Russian-Iranian military cooperation: How much can they depend on each other?

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
Russian-Iranian military cooperation: How much can they depend on each other?

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.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

Content

IranSource

Aug 15, 2024

Russian-Iranian military cooperation: How much can they depend on each other?

By Mark N. Katz

While the expansion of Russian-Iranian military cooperation might have already been in the works, these setbacks that Moscow and Tehran have experienced at the hands of US-backed Ukraine and Israel may only serve to increase it.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Aug 13, 2024

Citrinowicz quoted in Mosaic Magazine on Iran’s Strategy in the Western Hemisphere

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Aug 13, 2024

Wechsler joins Scripps News to discuss potential Iran retaliation against Israel

By Atlantic Council

Iran Israel

In the News

Aug 12, 2024

Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on potential impact of a Trump victory on oil sanctions policy
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

In the News

Aug 12, 2024

Goldwyn, Wald, and Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on Trump’s stance on oil sanctions

By Brenda Shaffer, David L. Goldwyn, Ellen Wald

Elections Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Aug 11, 2024

Chamlou quoted in BBC on laws barring Iranian women from the workplace

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Aug 9, 2024

Bakir quoted in Breaking Defense on experts say Iran’s reasons to delay strike against Israel

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Aug 8, 2024

Warrick joins Al Hadath to discuss the Syrian Chief of Staff secretly visiting Tehran

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Aug 8, 2024

Lipner joins Forbes to discuss Iran and Hezbollah’s response to Israel

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Aug 7, 2024

Wechsler joins Voice of America to discuss potential Iranian attack on Israel

By Atlantic Council

Conflict 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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