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.

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

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

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

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

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

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

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

By Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner

Last month, US officials traveled to Oman and held “secret” talks with a Houthi delegation. Both sides discussed the implementation of a ceasefire and a political transition in Yemen.

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jun 15, 2015

Slavin: Wrestling’s Curby Cup Next Move in US-Iran Sports Diplomacy

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor about wrestling as a US-Iranian public diplomacy tool:

Iran

In the News

Jun 15, 2015

Kroenig: Why Is Obama Abandoning 70 Years of US Nonproliferation Policy?

By Matthew Kroenig

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig writes for Tablet on why the nuclear deal with Iran is faulty and dangerous: 

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

Why Iran’s Plan B in Syria Will Not Work

By Hanin Ghaddar

Earlier this month, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (ICRG) Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani made a surprise visit to Syria near the frontlines outside Latakia, where he vowed that upcoming developments in Syria will soon “surprise” the world.

Iran Syria

In the News

Jun 9, 2015

Slavin: Ex-Obama Adviser: Missile Defense May Avert GCC Proliferation

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on why missile defense is proving a useful tool in persuading the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf not to acquire nuclear weapons: 

Iran Missile Defense

Event Recap

Jun 8, 2015

Saudi Arabia’s Leadership Changes: Implications for Stability and Energy Marketss

By The Global Energy Center

On Friday, May 29, 2015, the Atlantic Council hosted a panel, which discussed the impact recent leadership changes in Saudi Arabia will have on global energy markets as well as on regional stability and security. Panelists addressed the following questions: Is the restructuring of Saudi Aramco indicative of future changes within Saudi Arabia’s energy sector? […]

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Jun 6, 2015

New York Times Features Atlantic Council Panel on Iran

By South Asia Center

The New York Times features an Atlantic Council panel on the Iranian negotiations in an article about the French Ambassador to the United States, Gérard Araud : 

Iran

SyriaSource

Jun 5, 2015

Iran and Syria: Will Tehran Ease the Humanitarian Crisis?

By Frederic C. Hof

The Rafik Hariri Center hosted a private meeting on June 3 to discuss the policy implications of a remarkable report issued by the Syrian American Medical Society. Entitled Slow Death: Life and Death in Syrian Communities Under Siege, author Valerie Szybala placed under the microscope one aspect of the Assad regime’s mass homicide survival strategy.

Iran Russia

Article

Jun 5, 2015

Glimmer of Hope for Yemen, Gloom Elsewhere in the Middle East

By Barbara Slavin

This week, there were a plethora of events in Washington devoted to deepening understanding of the factors tearing apart Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen and threatening the stability of many other countries in the region.

Iran Syria

MENASource

Jun 3, 2015

Main Obstacle to New US-GCC Partnership May Be GCC Itself

By Fahad Nazer

The talk leading up to President Obama’s summit with the leaders of the six Arab nations comprising the Gulf Cooperation Council focused on the supposed “snub” by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, who opted not to attend after initially signaling that he would.

International Organizations 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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