Iran

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.

Featured commentary & analysis

Iran’s Absence from the Nuclear Security Summit is a Missed Opportunity

MENASource
May 14, 2026

Five ways the Iran war will forever alter the Middle East

By
Amir Asmar

Expect the war to weaken the Iranian regime, keep the US in the Middle East, harm Israel’s standing in the region, and more.

Conflict
Iran

Iran’s Absence from the Nuclear Security Summit is a Missed Opportunity

MENASource
Apr 1, 2026

The US should rethink Iran as a Southwest Asia challenge

By
Mike Schoengold Beatty

Conventional instinct to treat Iran as another Iraq or Yemen risks misallocating resources and missing the real challenges ahead.

Iran
Security & Defense

Iran’s Absence from the Nuclear Security Summit is a Missed Opportunity

MENASource
Mar 23, 2026

The Iran conflict exposes the new cost curve of war

By
Nic Adams

The Pentagon must rapidly field innovative, lower-cost technologies alongside its exquisite capabilities, ensuring each is used where it delivers the greatest advantage.

Conflict
Defense Industry

Programs

Iran Strategy Project

The Iran Strategy Project is designed to synchronize and bring together the Atlantic Council’s policy and analytical efforts on Iran under a single banner, reflecting the unprecedented level of discord and uncertainty in Iran.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our 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

Mar 28, 2016

Iran’s Absence from the Nuclear Security Summit is a Missed Opportunity

By Kelsey Davenport

When over fifty world leaders gather in Washington on March 31 for the fourth Nuclear Security Summit, Iran will be absent from the table.  

Iran

In the News

Mar 24, 2016

Seznec Quoted by Voice of America on How Low Oil Prices are Affecting Iran and Saudi Arabia

By Jean Francois Seznec

Read the full article here.

Energy & Environment Iran

In the News

Mar 24, 2016

Healey Quoted in Vocativ on Cyber Warfare Between Iran and the United States

By Jason Healey

Read the full article here.

Cybersecurity Iran

IranSource

Mar 23, 2016

Saudi Arabia Needs to Change its Zero Sum Approach to Iran

By Amir Handjani

Perhaps no single rivalry will determine the future of the Middle East more than that of Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Iran

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
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Experts

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

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 Senior Fellow

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

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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