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.

Syria: Taking the Initiative, Acquiring Some Leverage

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

Syria: Taking the Initiative, Acquiring Some Leverage

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

Syria: Taking the Initiative, Acquiring Some Leverage

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

SyriaSource

Oct 5, 2015

Syria: Taking the Initiative, Acquiring Some Leverage

By Frederic C. Hof

Responding to reporters’ questions on October 2, President Barack Obama made clear the inadmissibility in Syria of any US cooperation with “a Russian campaign to simply try to destroy anybody who is disgusted and fed up with Mr. Assad’s behavior.”

Iran Russia

Transcript

Oct 5, 2015

Iran’s Regional Role After the Nuclear Deal

By South Asia Center

Atlantic Council Iran’s Regional Role After the Nuclear Deal Speakers: Nasser Hadian, Professor, University of Tehran Bilal Y. Saab, Senior Fellow, Middle East Peace and Security Initiative, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council Moderator: Barbara Slavin, Nonresident Senior Fellow, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council Introduction: Huma Haque, Associate Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Oct 4, 2015

Tanchum on Chinese, Iranian, and Turkish Gas

By Micha'el Tanchum

Anadolu Agency Energy News Terminal interviews Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum on China’s one belt-one road initiative, post-sanctions Iran, and upcoming opportunities for Turkey:

China Iran

SyriaSource

Oct 1, 2015

Syria: Moscow Strikes, Washington Watches

By Frederic C. Hof

Four years of failed US policy toward Syria have produced alarming results that transcend the Levant. Having carefully gauged the gap between Obama administration rhetoric and action, Russian President Vladimir Putin has elected to intervene militarily to help the Assad regime defeat its non-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) enemies.

Iran Russia

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Slavin: Iran-Saudi Rift Over Hajj Decreases Chances for Solution to Syria

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Jazeera America on Iranian President Rouhani’s criticism of Saudi Arabia:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Slavin: Rouhani Settles Into a More ‘Normal’ UN Routine

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on Iranian President Rouhani’s speech to the UN General Assembly: 

Iran

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Daily Sabah Features Report on Iranian and Eurasian Energy

By Micha'el Tanchum

The Daily Sabah features the recently released report authored by Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum, A Post-Sanctions Iran and the Eurasian Energy Architecture: Challenges and Opportunities for the Euro-Atlantic Community, on how the lifting of sanctions on Iranian gas will lead to a restructuring of the Eurasian energy architecture:

Iran

In the News

Sep 25, 2015

Itani on Iran’s Goals in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The Hill quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on Iran’s views on embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime:

Iran Syria

Report

Sep 25, 2015

A post-sanctions Iran and the Eurasian energy architecture: Challenges and opportunities for the Euro-Atlantic community

By Micha'el Tanchum

With the removal of international sanctions on Iran, different markets will have a great interest in importing Iranian gas, but which market will benefit the most? Lifting the sanctions carries the potential to radically restructure the Eurasian energy architecture and, as a consequence, reshape Eurasian geopolitics.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Sep 25, 2015

Slavin: Rouhani Blasts Saudi ‘Ineptitude’ for Hajj Tragedy

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s views on the country’s relations with Saudi Arabia, the United States, Russia, and Syria:

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Mark N. Katz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Fellow

Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union

Staff

Matthew Kroenig

Vice President, Geostrategy and Fellows and Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Staff

Andrew L. Peek

Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Intelligence

Fellow

Keir Lieber

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Fellow

Rob Macaire

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East
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