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.

Iran: Rethinking the Endgame

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

Iran: Rethinking the Endgame

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

Iran: Rethinking the Endgame

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

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2014

Iran: Rethinking the Endgame

By Robert A. Manning and James Clad

It is with no small amount of trepidation that US and EU negotiators gear up for new talks on a final nuclear deal with Iran later this month. Fierce US congressional criticism of the “5+1” nuclear deal with Iran is missing the point, and promise, of an accord. One need not buy President Rouhani’s self-serving assertion […]

Iran

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 31, 2014

This Week in South Asia: January 25-31

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. India: Following Japan’s Prime Minter Shinzo Abe’s visit to India last weekend, India and Japan have signed agreements on cooperation in areas including energy, telecommunications, and tourism. The two countries also agreed to hold […]

Afghanistan India
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper

NATOSource

Jan 29, 2014

Intelligence Community’s Assessment of Cyber Threats to the US

By Office of the Director of National Intelligence

The following excerpt is from the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, delivered by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, January 29, 2014.

China Cybersecurity

In the News

Jan 28, 2014

Hof and LeBaron Speak at Middle East Policy Council Conference

Hariri Center Senior Fellows Richard LeBaron and Frederic Hof joined the Middle East Policy Council’s 75th Capitol Hill Conference to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and its policies in the region, the concerns of Gulf states and Israel, and how an agreement would affect the balance of power in the region.

International Organizations Iran
Vice President Joe Biden at the 2013 Munich Security Conference

NATOSource

Jan 28, 2014

US Should Challenge European Allies with ‘Frank Talk’ about Defense

By Clemens Wergin, International New York Times

In recent decades, many European states have largely outsourced their security to the United States, which provided a defensive umbrella and protected global trade routes vital for European commerce and energy supplies.

Germany Iran

Event Recap

Jan 27, 2014

Roundtable on Regional Perspectives on Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran

In November 2013, Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) signed an interim agreement on the Iranian nuclear program. While a significant breakthrough, the deal has not been universally considered a guarantee against Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons. Focusing on regional views of nuclear diplomacy with Iran, the […]

Iran
Iranian frigate Jamaran

NATOSource

Jan 24, 2014

Iran Sends Flotilla of Warships to Atlantic Ocean

By FARS News Agency and ABC News

From FARS News Agency:  The Iranian Navy dispatched its first fleet of warships to the Atlantic Ocean in a ceremony participated by Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari

Iran United States and Canada

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 24, 2014

This Week in South Asia: January 18 -24

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. AfghanistanLast Friday, a complex attack on a Kabul restaurant left 21 dead, including 13 foreigners, and prompted heightened concerns about the country’s uncertain future amongst the international community and Afghans alike. The attack dismantled […]

Afghanistan India

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2014

Iran Nuclear Deal Opens Doors for Students

By Barbara Slavin

Among the beneficiaries of the interim nuclear agreement with Iran that went into effect this week are Iranian students abroad and the Western educational institutions that are already seeing rising interest from Iran. A senior Barack Obama administration official on Monday told reporters “we’ve committed that up to $400 million of Iran’s own money can […]

Iran
French commandos

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2014

Europe’s Sole Military Force: Giving France Respect Where it is Due

By Gregor Peter Schmitz, Spiegel

In Damascus, Tehran, Tripoli and even Washington, Paris is taken very seriously indeed.

Africa Europe & Eurasia
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Experts

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on global energy market resilience in a moment of crisis

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Fatih Birol discusses how the International Energy Agency is guiding governments and markets through a complex energy landscape.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran