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.

Poor Quality Gasoline Deadly for Iranians

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

Poor Quality Gasoline Deadly for Iranians

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

Poor Quality Gasoline Deadly for Iranians

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

Feb 16, 2017

Poor Quality Gasoline Deadly for Iranians

By Vida Balikhani

Every year about 70% of the fatalities in Tehran are caused by respiratory and heart failure that is directly or indirectly associated with the air pollution. Nationwide, 80,000 people died prematurely due to pollution in 2012, according to official figures.

Iran

In the News

Feb 14, 2017

LeBaron Quoted by VOA on Common Interests of the United States and Israel Before Talks

By Richard LeBaron

Read full article here.

Iran Israel

In the News

Feb 14, 2017

Slavin Joins VOA to Discuss Political Change in Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Watch full interview here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2017

EU Seeks to Preserve Iran Nuclear Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said all sides must abide by terms of the agreement The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said on February 10 that Brussels is committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran, and that she came away reassured from her meetings with US officials […]

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Feb 10, 2017

Ward Joins the Axis to Discuss US-Iran Relations

By Alexander Ward

Watch full interview here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2017

Iran Tests Trump

Iran is testing the weight of US President Donald J. Trump’s words with its latest missile tests, said an Atlantic Council analyst. Tensions between Iran and the United States have been ratcheted up as Trump and his National Security Advisor Michael Flynn said they were putting the Islamic Republic “on notice” in response to Iran’s […]

Iran

In the News

Feb 9, 2017

Handjani Quoted by Bloomberg on Trump’s Stance on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

By Amir Ali Handjani

Read the full article here.

Iran

MENASource

Feb 9, 2017

Strategic Thinking About the Middle East

By Stephen Blank

In its first weeks, the Trump Administration openly castigated terrorism as America’s primary threat and underlined it anti-Iranian orientation. It also announced its intention to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem and its readiness for a partnership with Russia against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). Unfortunately, taken together these moves are mutually contradictory. If […]

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 7, 2017

Slavin in VOA: Back to the ‘Axis of Evil’ on Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Read full article here.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 6, 2017

Shaffer in the Hill: US Can Exploit Fault Lines to Drive Wedge between Iran, Russia

By Brenda Shaffer

Read the full article here.

Iran Russia
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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