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.

Vajdich in the National Interest: How Trump Should Dismantle the Iran Nuclear Deal

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

Vajdich in the National Interest: How Trump Should Dismantle the Iran Nuclear Deal

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

Vajdich in the National Interest: How Trump Should Dismantle the Iran Nuclear Deal

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

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Content

In the News

Jan 4, 2017

Vajdich in the National Interest: How Trump Should Dismantle the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Daniel Vajdich

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Dec 23, 2016

Alyahya Joins BBC World Service to Discuss Growing Iranian Influence in the Middle East

By Mohammed Alyahya

Listen to the full interview here.

Iran

In the News

Dec 22, 2016

Vakhshouri Quoted by Interfax on Iran’s Agreements with International Oil Companies

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Dec 20, 2016

Stein Quoted by the New York Times on How President-Elect Trump Is Affecting Russia, Iran, and Turkey’s Syria Negotiations

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Iran Russia

In the News

Dec 12, 2016

Slavin and Crocker in the Denver Post: Trump Can Preserve Nuclear Deal While Reviewing Iran Policy

By http://www.denverpost.com/2016/12/12/trump-can-preserve-nuclear-deal-while-reviewing-iran-policy/

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Dec 4, 2016

Vakhshouri Joins BBC Persian to Discuss Iran’s 2017 Budget

By Sara Vakhshouri

Watch the full interview here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2016

Can the Iran Nuclear Deal Survive Donald Trump?

By Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner

Donald Trump’s election as the next president of the United States has created uncertainty for the future of the nuclear deal with Iran. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his opposition to the deal—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, even if Trump’s administration retards the implementation of […]

China European Union

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2016

The War on ISIS: Trump’s ‘Steep Learning Curve’

The United Nations’ Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, called on US President-elect Donald Trump to work with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, however, many other factors must be considered before the United States enters into such an alliance, according to an Atlantic Council expert. “Putting together a coherent strategy around […]

Iran Russia

Middle East Strategy Task Force

Nov 30, 2016

Trump Must Not Rip Up the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President-elect Donald Trump must honor the terms of a deal that prevents Iran from making a nuclear weapon, said Madeleine K. Albright, a former US secretary of state and an honorary director of the Atlantic Council’s board, in a meeting with reporters this week. “I happen to think that it’s a good deal, it […]

Iran

Event Recap

Nov 29, 2016

What to Do About Russia’s Rising Profile in the Middle East

By South Asia Center

On Tuesday, November 29, 2016, South Asia Center’s Future of Iran Initiative, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, and the Global Energy Center hosted a panel discussion on what to do about Russia’s rising profile in the Middle East. Panelist included Anna Borshchevskaya, Ira Weiner Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, […]

Iran Middle East
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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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