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.

Atlantic Council Board Director Nicholas Burns Writes in Financial Times: Barack Obama Has Risked US Credibility in the Middle East

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

Atlantic Council Board Director Nicholas Burns Writes in Financial Times: Barack Obama Has Risked US Credibility in the Middle East

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

Atlantic Council Board Director Nicholas Burns Writes in Financial Times: Barack Obama Has Risked US Credibility in the Middle East

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

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.

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Content

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Atlantic Council Board Director Nicholas Burns Writes in Financial Times: Barack Obama Has Risked US Credibility in the Middle East

By Nicholas Burns

Read the full article here.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 21, 2016

Putin Decision to Withdraw Forces from Syria Is a Betrayal of Iran

By Abbas Qaidaari

It seems that most Western elites and politicians believe that Iran and Russia have an amiable relationship and that Tehran and Moscow confide in each other thoroughly. However, this is not the case, as Russia’s recent decision to withdraw forces from Syria shows.

Iran

In the News

Mar 21, 2016

Vakhshouri Quoted by Voice of America (Iran Service) on Major Differences Between the Iranian Petroleum Contract and Previous Contract Models

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 21, 2016

Vakhshouri on Voice of America (Iran Service) on Iran and Economic Effects from the Iranian Petroleum Contract

By Sara Vakhshouri

Iran Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2016

Japan Looks to Seize Opportunity Created by Iran Nuke Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with Yasuyuki Matsunaga of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Tehran this summer will send a strong signal that Japan is ready to ramp up its engagement with Iran, according to Yasuyuki Matsunaga of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Japan, which imports most of its energy, […]

Iran Japan

IranSource

Mar 17, 2016

Iran-Afghan Differences over Helmand River Threaten Both Countries

By Fatemeh Aman

Afghan ambassador to Tehran Nasir Ahmad Nour told the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency recently that Afghanistan is committed to an agreement sharing the waters of the Helmand River between the two countries. But disagreements continue over an issue that has contributed to an environmental disaster in southwestern Afghanistan and southeastern Iran.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

IranSource

Mar 17, 2016

اختلاف های ایران و افغانستان بر سر آب هیرمند، تهدیدی برای هر دو کشور

By Fatemeh Aman

نصیر احمد نور، سفیر افغانستان در ایران، اخیرا به خبرگزاری ایرنا گفت کشورش به قرارداد تقسیم آب هیرمند میان ایران و افغانستان متعهد است. اما با وجود اظهارات مشابه، اختلاف نظرها بر سر موضوعی که باعث ایجاد یک فاجعه زیست محیطی در جنوب غربی افغانستان و جنوب شرقی ایران شده، ادامه دارد.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 15, 2016

Low Oil Prices: Good News at the Pump, Bad News for the Environment?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with Ken Koyama, Chief Economist and Managing Director at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan Low oil prices not only threaten stability in oil-producing states, they can also diminish efforts to develop and embrace clean energy, according to Ken Koyama, Chief Economist and Managing Director at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan. “It may […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 10, 2016

Cohen Joins Georgian TV Channel One to Discuss Georgian Plans to Purchase More Natural Gas From Gazprom and Iran

By Ariel Cohen

Iran Russia

In the News

Mar 10, 2016

Slavin in Al-Monitor: UN Report: Iran Executes Nearly 1,000 people in 2015

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran
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Experts

Expert

Nate Swanson

Resident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East