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.

Saudi Offer to Deploy Troops to Syria ‘Turns the Tables’ on the United States

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

Saudi Offer to Deploy Troops to Syria ‘Turns the Tables’ on the United States

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

Saudi Offer to Deploy Troops to Syria ‘Turns the Tables’ on the United States

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

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2016

Saudi Offer to Deploy Troops to Syria ‘Turns the Tables’ on the United States

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Plan seen taking heat off Gulf Arab states over role in war on ISIS, putting onus on the United States to do more Saudi Arabia’s offer to deploy ground troops to fight the Islamic State in Syria is seen as putting pressure on the Obama administration—which has been urging its Arab Gulf partners to ramp […]

Iran Russia

In the News

Feb 4, 2016

Ghaddar in NOW Media News: Iran Won Lebanon

By Hanin Ghaddar

Read the full article here.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 4, 2016

Koranyi Quoted by Trend on Iran’s Oil Market in Europe

By David Koranyi

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Feb 4, 2016

LobeLog Features Atlantic Council Iran Event

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Feb 4, 2016

Vakhshouri Joins Middle East Institute For Event on Iran Nuclear Deal

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2016

Americans and Iranians Grappled Long Before the Nuclear Talks

By Mitch Hulse

‘Sports diplomacy’ laid the groundwork for detente, says US official Decades before the United States and Iran agreed on the historic nuclear deal, international sports federations were working together to break down diplomatic barriers and prejudices between the two countries. Since 1998, wrestling rings and volleyball courts in Tehran and California—not Washington conference rooms—have been […]

Iran

In the News

Feb 3, 2016

Slavin in Al-Monitor: New Poll Says Iranians Like Zarif, Dislike United States

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Feb 2, 2016

Bryza Interviewed by Vestnik Kavkaza on Iran’s Relations With The West and The Caucasus

By Matthew Bryza

Read the full article here.

Iran The Caucasus

Event Recap

Feb 2, 2016

Pin-Down Diplomacy: How Wrestling Promotes US-Iran Ties

By South Asia Center

Much as “ping-pong diplomacy” helped break the ice between the United States and China in the 1970s, “pin-down diplomacy” between the wrestlers of the United States and Iran has been instrumental in changing perceptions about Iranian and American society, and building bridges between sports communities and ordinary citizens. On February 2, The Atlantic Council’s Future […]

Iran

In the News

Feb 1, 2016

Vakhshouri Joins BBC Persian NewsHour to Discuss Iran’s Petroleum Contracts

By Sara Vakhshouri

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Bahar Ghandehari

Junior Policy Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan English

Fellow

Michelle S. Giuda

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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