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.

United States’ Sanctions Obligations

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

United States’ Sanctions Obligations

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

United States’ Sanctions Obligations

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

Event Recap

Dec 17, 2015

United States’ Sanctions Obligations

By Nico Catano

On December 17, as a part of the Atlantic Council and Iran Project’s Conference “What Will Lifting Iran Sanctions Mean for US Firms?”, a panel of experts discussed the United States’ Sanctions Obligations within the JCPOA. The panel consisted of Mr. Kenneth Katzman, Specialist, Middle East Affairs, Congressional Research Service; Ms. Elizabeth Rosenberg, Senior Fellow […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2015

Iran’s Swift Compliance with Nuclear Deal’s Terms Seen Creating a Verification Challenge

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Timing of sanctions relief in Iran’s control, says State Department’s lead coordinator for deal’s implementation Iran is implementing its commitments under a nuclear agreement at such a swift pace that it is creating a challenge for the verification process to keep up, the State Department’s lead coordinator for implementation of the deal said at the […]

Iran

Event Recap

Dec 17, 2015

US Department of the Treasury’s Adam Szubin on Iranian Sanctions

By Ben Polsky

“The ultimate success of any sanctions program is its demise,” stated US Department of the Treasury’s Adam Szubin, arguing that sanctions should not be a product of anger but “a means to an end.” Szubin, the Acting Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, spoke at the Atlantic Council and Iran Project conference, “Implementing the Iran […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2015

What Will Lifting Iran Sanctions Mean for US Firms?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US embargo will, ‘by and large,’ remain in place, says US Treasury official Even after US, EU, and UN sanctions have been lifted, Americans thinking of doing business in Iran will be restrained by other US sanctions and prohibited from dealing with blacklisted Iranian officials and entities, a top Obama administration official said at the […]

Iran

In the News

Dec 15, 2015

Vakhshouri on Iran and Nuclear Weapons

By Sara Vakhshouri

USA Today quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on the international implications, especially regarding the oil market, of the Iran nuclear deal:  

Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 14, 2015

Transatlantic Power in Economic Sanctions

By Nico Catano

Economic sanctions have become one of the most successful tools in achieving policy goals, and offer an effective alternative to more hawkish options. The United States has crafted sanctions regimes throughout the world, but it is without doubt most effective in partnership with its allies, notably the European Union. The US-EU economic bloc makes up […]

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Dec 13, 2015

Tanchum: TANAP and the Semi-Encirclement of Iran: Progress and Paradoxes in Turkey’s Energy Diplomacy

By Micha'el Tanchum

Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum writes for Turkish Policy Quarterly on why Turkey’s energy supply is still susceptible to Russian and Iranian interference, despite its energy diplomacy efforts, mainly TANAP, which seeks to diversify its natural gas supply:

Iran

In the News

Dec 13, 2015

Vakhshouri on Iran’s Natural Gas Industry

By Sara Vakhshouri

Real Clear Energy quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on how the Iran nuclear deal will affect Iran’s natural gas industry:

Iran

In the News

Dec 10, 2015

Vakhshouri on Iranian Oil Sanctions

By Sara Vakhshouri

Oil & Gas Journal quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on how lifting oil sanctions could spur domestic economic development:

Iran

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Tanchum on Undersea Iran-Oman-India Pipeline

By Micha'el Tanchum

Bloomberg Business quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum on the economic gains of developing an undersea pipeline for Iran, Oman, and India:

India Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economy & Business

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Fellow

Amanda J. Rothschild

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Iran

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic
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