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.

Column: US Falls Short on Human Rights

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

Column: US Falls Short on Human Rights

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

Column: US Falls Short on Human Rights

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

Article

Dec 15, 2014

Column: US Falls Short on Human Rights

By Barbara Slavin

On the same day that the Senate Intelligence Committee released its blockbuster report on CIA interrogation practices after 9-11, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring December 10 “Human Rights Day.”

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Dec 8, 2014

Slavin on Trade Implications of Nuclear Negotiations

By Barbara Slavin

Politico quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on the trade implications of nuclear negotiations with Iran:

Iran

Event Recap

Dec 4, 2014

Breakthrough or Extension: Implications for US and European Relations with Iran

By Elijah Logsdon

On December 2, 2014, the Atlantic Council hosted an event focused on the failure of negotiators to conclude a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran last month and the decision to extend an interim accord for another seven months. Moderator Barbara Slavin, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, guided a panel discussion on […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2014

Iran Nuclear Deal Could Come Before July, Analysts Say

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Iran and six Western powers could reach a deal on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program well before the new July 1 deadline, experts told the Atlantic Council on December 2. The P5+1 — the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany — and Iran last month extended their self-imposed November 24 […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

Webcasts

Dec 2, 2014

Breakthrough or Extension: Implications for US and European Relations with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Please join the Atlantic Council on December 2, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a discussion on the implications of a deal or a possible extension of negotiations for both political and economic US and European relations with Iran.

Iran

In the News

Dec 1, 2014

Slavin: Exiled Iranian Journalist Recalls Lost Freedoms

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavinn writes for Al-Monitor on a new memoir by former New York Times correspondent Nazila Fathi: 

Iran

Article

Nov 26, 2014

Column: Truce, Not Breakthrough, Avoids Hard Choices by US and Iran

By Barbara Slavin

After failing to reach their own deadline for a comprehensive nuclear agreement, the world’s major powers and Iran settled for an extended truce that avoids the hard political choices that neither Washington nor Tehran could make. The decision to prolong last year’s interim agreement for another seven months – the best negotiators could achieve after […]

Iran

In the News

Nov 25, 2014

Kroenig on Iran Talks: “There Has Been Little Progress”

By Matthew Kroenig

Voice of America quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig on the extension of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 powers:

Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 24, 2014

An Iran Nuclear Deal: Better Than Nothing if We Get It, But Not a Resolution

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig on the Extension of Nonproliferation Talks As Iran and six other nations announced a seven-month extension of their effort to reach a deal to limit the Iranian nuclear program, the Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig said Iran will pose a nonproliferation threat even if a deal is struck. Kroenig, a nonresident senior […]

Iran

In the News

Nov 24, 2014

Kroenig on Nuclear Negotiations Extension

By Matthew Kroenig

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig joins France 24 to discuss the recent extension of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries: Watch the full interview here.

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Bahar Ghandehari

Junior Policy Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan English

Fellow

Michelle S. Giuda

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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