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.

Foreign Policy Highlights Atlantic Council Call on Iran

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

Foreign Policy Highlights Atlantic Council Call on Iran

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

Foreign Policy Highlights Atlantic Council Call on Iran

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

In the News

Apr 2, 2015

Foreign Policy Highlights Atlantic Council Call on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Foreign Policy quotes Thomas Pickering, Former US Ambassador, Undersecretary of State, and member of the Atlantic Council’s Iran Task Force, from a conference call hosted by the Atlantic Council on the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program:

Iran

In the News

Apr 2, 2015

Slavin on the History of Iran’s Nuclear Program

By Barbara Slavin

The Daily Caller quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on the history of Iran’s nuclear program and the prospects for other countries in the Middle East to acquire a nuclear weapon:

Iran

In the News

Apr 2, 2015

Slavin on the Iran Nuclear Deal Framework

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins PRI’s The World to discuss the framework for an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program:

Iran

MENASource

Apr 2, 2015

The Joint Arab Military Force and Yemen: Stability or Sectarianism?

The conclusion of the Arab League Summit on March 30, 2015 culminated in a grand statement announcing the formation of a joint Arab military force to tackle regional challenges from the Maghreb to Yemen. While significant, particularly given the ongoing military operations and ground force mobilization led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen, […]

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2015

Pickering: Tougher Sanctions, Threat of War Not the Way Forward with Iran

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former US diplomat says too much at stake in nuclear negotiations to walk away now Tougher sanctions and threats of military action are both bad options in the event talks to reach a deal on Iran’s nuclear program fail to produce results, said Thomas Pickering, a former US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs. He […]

Iran

In the News

Apr 1, 2015

Slavin Moderates Panel on Iran Nuclear Negotiations

By Barbara Slavin

C-SPAN covers a panel moderated by South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on the Iran nuclear negotiations:

Iran

In the News

Apr 1, 2015

Slavin on the Terms of an Iran Deal

By Barbara Slavin

The Hill quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on what could be included in a nuclear deal with Iran and when to expect an announcement of an agreement:

Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2015

Deal or no deal: What next if Iran talks fail?

By Matthew Kroenig

The failure of the P5+1 and Iran to strike a “framework” accord by their own March 31 deadline is troubling. If the two sides can’t even agree to agree on some vague bullet points after sixteen months of negotiations, it is hard to imagine that they will be able to work out a comprehensive accord, […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Mar 31, 2015

Slavin on the Larger Implications of a Deal with Iran

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss why a deal with Iran is still likely and the larger implications of the negotiations for Iran and the international community:

Iran

In the News

Mar 29, 2015

Pham on the Conflict in Yemen

By J. Peter Pham

International Business Times quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how Iran’s involvement in the conflict in Yemen could shift the balance of power in the region:

Iran Yemen
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Experts

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

China Chinese

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
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