Saudi-Iranian Crisis, China’s Economic Slide Set Stage for Perfect Storm in the Oil Market

New Atlanticist
Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By
Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.

Economic Sanctions
Iran

Saudi-Iranian Crisis, China’s Economic Slide Set Stage for Perfect Storm in the Oil Market

New Atlanticist
Jun 26, 2025

What really happened to Fordow? Three possible futures for Iran’s nuclear program after US strikes.

By
Amir Asmar

The condition of Fordow will have a direct impact on the likelihood of Iran giving up its nuclear program versus resuming its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Iran
Middle East

Saudi-Iranian Crisis, China’s Economic Slide Set Stage for Perfect Storm in the Oil Market

Fast Thinking
Jun 24, 2025

The big lessons from 12 days of war with Iran

By
Atlantic Council

A tentative cease-fire is underway in the war between Iran and Israel. But where did the conflict leave Iran, Israel, and the United States?

Conflict
Iran

In-depth research & reports

Report

Oct 8, 2024

A bipartisan Iran strategy for the next US administration—and the next two decades

As tensions spike in the Middle East, how should the next US president approach Iran and its network of proxies including Hezbollah and Hamas? With a strategy that can be maintained for decades, by administrations of either party. A bipartisan, expert working group lays out the details.

Iran
Middle East

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Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2016

Saudi-Iranian Crisis, China’s Economic Slide Set Stage for Perfect Storm in the Oil Market

By Ariel Cohen

The deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran may have dire consequences for global oil markets because the kingdom’s Eastern Province, where the Shia are in the majority, produces most of its oil. Production would suffer if Iran were to foment unrest among this population. This crisis between the Middle East’s two major oil producers […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jan 5, 2016

Vakhshouri on the Oil Market between Saudi Arabia and Iran

By Sara Vakhshouri

The Fuse quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on how Saudi Arabia and Iran remain dependent on maintaining their oil markets open despite their recent downturn in diplomatic relations:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 4, 2016

Slavin: Saudi Plays Dangerous Regional Game with Executions

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on the regional implications of Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Saudi Shi’ite cleric:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 4, 2016

Slavin on the Iran-Saudi Arabia Rift

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins KCRW’s To the Point to discuss the growing rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 4, 2016

Shaffer on the Oil Market and Saudi-Iran Tension

By Brenda Shaffer

Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer joins CNBC to discuss growing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the implications for the oil market:

Iran Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jan 4, 2016

The Saudi/Iran Break: Politics of Fear in the Gulf

By Richard LeBaron

Saudi Arabia’s decision to break diplomatic ties with Iran represents another chapter in the politics of fear that have dominated Saudi military and diplomatic moves since the ascension of King Salman just shy of a year ago. The fear finds its main source in the Saudi conviction that Iran is intent on displacing it as […]

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Jan 2, 2016

Guardian Features Atlantic Council Iran Conference

By Atlantic Council

The Guardian features a conference hosted by the Atlantic Council on the future of the Iran nuclear deal, quoting international trade compliance lawyer Adam Smith and specialist in Middle East affairs at the Congressional Research Service Kenneth Katzman:

Iran

In the News

Jan 2, 2016

Vakhshouri on Foreign Investment in Iran’s Oil Market

By Sara Vakhshouri

The Guardian quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on how US energy companies are not likely to invest in Iran’s oil market in 2016 due to security issues:

Iran

SyriaSource

Dec 23, 2015

The Syrian Bridge to 2017

By Frederic C. Hof

It has been a busy few days for the UN Security Council, what with Christmas and the New Year approaching. Resolution 2254 endorsed the diplomatic process launched in Vienna in late October, one aimed at ending a horrific war in Syria. Resolution 2258 reiterated the dissatisfaction of the Council with the manner in the Syrian […]

Iran Russia

In the News

Dec 21, 2015

Slavin: Iran Nuclear Agreement Faces ‘Significant Turbulence’

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on how the Iran nuclear agreement is slowly progressing amid the upcoming Iranian election season and pressure against the US State Department from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

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Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
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