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.

An Opportunity to Discuss Iran’s Support for al-Assad

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

An Opportunity to Discuss Iran’s Support for al-Assad

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

An Opportunity to Discuss Iran’s Support for al-Assad

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.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2015

An Opportunity to Discuss Iran’s Support for al-Assad

The nuclear deal reached July 14 between Iran and the so-called P5+1—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany—presents an opportunity for the Obama administration and its partners to address Iran’s support for Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, writes Frederic C. Hof, a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for […]

Iran National Security

SyriaSource

Jul 14, 2015

Dealing with Iran Post-Deal

By Frederic C. Hof

One may see the nuclear agreement with Iran as the product of a faulty premise and still respect the industry of US Secretary of State John Kerry and his team in arriving at respectable terms consistent with that premise. One may see the prospect of a regionally aggressive Iran soon to be flush with cash […]

Iran Syria

In the News

Jul 14, 2015

Slavin on Iran Deal and Diplomacy

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Public Radio International’s The World to discuss the diplomatic resolution to the Iran deal:

Iran

In the News

Jul 13, 2015

Manning: How the ‘Japan Model’ Could Strengthen the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Robert Manning

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Robert Manning writes for The National Interest on the ways in which Japan’s nuclear experience may provide helpful insights on the way forward following the nuclear deal with Iran:

Iran Japan

Europe After The Vote

Jul 10, 2015

Slavin Moderates Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice Of America’s Issues in the News to moderate a discussion on the Greek crisis, the Iran nuclear deal, and the US strategy to combat ISIS:

Greece Iran

In the News

Jul 9, 2015

Slavin: Why the Iran Endgame is So Tortuous

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for the Voice of America on why successfully concluding a nuclear deal with Iran is so difficult:

Iran

In the News

Jul 8, 2015

Kroenig: How to Walk Away from the Iran Talks

By Matthew Kroenig

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig cowrites for the National Review on why the United States should get tough on Iran by increasing demands and tightening sanctions:

Iran

In the News

Jul 8, 2015

Saab on Concerns About a Nuclear Iran

By Bilal Y. Saab

National Defense Magazine quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on why concerns about a nuclear Iran will remain even if an accord is reached:

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Jul 7, 2015

Saab on US Middle East Strategy

By Bilal Y. Saab

USNI News quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on his report, The New Containment: Changing America’s Approach to Middle East Security, which calls for a new US security architecture to tackle Middle East concerns:

Iran

In the News

Jul 6, 2015

Slavin Moderates Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to moderate a discussion on the nuclear deal with Iran, the opening of a US embassy in Cuba, the Greek financial crisis, and the violence in Egypt:

Cuba Greece
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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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