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.

Content

Issue Brief

May 30, 2013

The political kaleidoscope turns again in crisis-challenged Iran: 2013 elections

By Yasmin Alem and Barbara Slavin

In the latest Iran Task Force issue brief, authors Yasmin Alem and Barbara Slavin analyze the political climate leading up to the June elections in Iran.

Iran

Event Recap

Apr 4, 2013

Report Launch: Time to Move from Tactics to Strategy on Iran

Please join the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center on April 4 for the release of a new report entitled Time to Move from Tactics to Strategy on Iran.

Iran

Report

Apr 4, 2013

Time to move from tactics to strategy on Iran

By Iran Task Force

The Atlantic Council’s Iran Task Force has launched a new report, Time to Move from Tactics to Strategy on Iran, reflecting more than two years of research on a wide range of issues related to this pivotal country. The Task Force, led by Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, recommends a long-term strategy that offers the Iranian government […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2013

Iran and the US: Deadly Embrace or Suicide Pact?

By Harlan Ullman

During the Cold War, the thermonuclear standoff between the United States and Soviet Union was often described as two scorpions in a bottle. The notion was that both scorpions would sting the other to death no matter which struck first. Of course, the prospect of the scorpions being of the opposite sex with options other […]

Iran National Security

Event Recap

Mar 26, 2013

Iranian Economic System Bending, not Breaking Under Sanctions

On March 26, 2013, the South Asia Center hosted a briefing with Bijan Khajehpour, cofounder and managing partner at Atieh Internationa; Reza Marashi, research director, National Iranian American Council; and Trita Parsi, founder and president, National Iranian American Council on “The Impact of Sanctions on Tehran’s Nuclear Calculations.”

Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2013

Iran and US Economy Remain Key Questions for Obama

By Harlan Ullman

As U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Israel for his first state visit, clearly Iran will dominate the agenda along with discussions over Syria, the Arab Spring and even the Palestinian issue (although Israeli settlements in occupied territories may be missing in action as too politically sensitive).

Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 14, 2013

A Roadmap for Negotiating with Iran

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

It is still early in the second term of the Obama administration, and as with the beginning of all presidential terms, hope springs eternal in political circles that longstanding obstacles to policy progress will be swept away. In that spirit, a host of commentators are calling for the United States and Iran to make a […]

Elections Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2013

Is Iran Essential to Syria’s Future?

By Loren White

After 23 months of fighting, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power is increasingly tenuous. Fearing its greatest ally could be ousted, Iran has reportedly begun forming large sectarian militias in Syria to bolster the regime in the short term, and also to preserve its influence should Assad be overthrown. With so much at stake, […]

Iran Syria

New Atlanticist

Jan 9, 2013

The Iranian Cliff

By Harlan Ullman

If 2012 turned out to be the year of the “Cliff Hanger,” what will 2013 bring? This column has written about the fiscal, strategic and civility cliffs. Alarmingly, the worst may yet to come: Consider the “Iranian cliff.”

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

Event Recap

Dec 5, 2012

Can the World Live Without Iranian Oil?

By Jason Harmala

On December 5, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center held a discussion entitled “Can the World Live Without Iranian Oil,” with Sara Vakhshouri, president of SVB Energy International; and Denise Natali, Minerva Chair, Institute of National Strategic Studies, National Defense University.

Iran

Experts