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: Not Necessarily a Nuclear Apocalypse

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: Not Necessarily a Nuclear Apocalypse

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: Not Necessarily a Nuclear Apocalypse

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

Nov 16, 2011

Iran: Not Necessarily a Nuclear Apocalypse

By Harlan Ullman

Last week, the United Nation’s International Atomic Energy Agency released an assessment of Iran’s nuclear programs. While not overly alarmist, the report warned that, based on inputs from nearly a dozen different national intelligence agencies, Iran was developing programs in virtually all categories essential for production of nuclear weapons as well missile delivery systems. Iran […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

Event Recap

Nov 10, 2011

Iran Turns to China, Barter to Survive Sanctions

By Adrienne Chuck

On November 10, the Atlantic Council’s Iran Task Force held a public briefing on Iran trade relations. This briefing marks the release of the Council’s fifth issue brief, entitled “Iran Turns to China, Barter to Survive Sanctions,” by senior fellow Barbara Slavin.

China Germany

Issue Brief

Nov 10, 2011

Iran turns to China, barter to survive sanctions

By Barbara Slavin

“Iran Turns to China, Barter to Survive Sanctions,” by senior fellow Barbara Slavin discusses Iran’s changing trade patterns, its greater dependence on China, India and Turkey, and continuing relationships with Germany and Italy. The brief also discusses the impact of sanctions and measures the United States could take to convince Iran to curb its nuclear […]

China Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2011

Iran Nuclear Threat: What’s Next?

By Barbara Slavin

A new report released Tuesday by the International Atomic Energy Agency makes clear that Tehran has carried out extensive research into making a nuclear weapon. But it does not explain what the United States and the rest of the world should do.  The Iranian government, according to U.S. intelligence officials, has not yet decided to […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2011

Israeli Strike on Iran’s Nukes a Real Danger

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Iran’s nuclear ambitions predate the clerical dictatorship that overthrew the monarchy in 1979. The late last monarch, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, reached the same conclusion when Britain, in 1968, suddenly relinquished all of its geopolitical responsibilities east of Suez — from Singapore to the Suez Canal, including the Persian Gulf and the oil that then […]

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2011

Alleged Iranian Assassination Plot Suspicious

By Barbara Slavin

US Justice Department charges that elements of Iran’s government were behind a foiled plot on the life of Saudi Arabia’s U.S. ambassador have boggled the minds of many Americans knowledgeable about both Iran and terrorism.

Iran

New Atlanticist

Sep 23, 2011

The Ahmadinejad Show

By Barbara Slavin

Tormenting Western journalists must be among the few pleasures left to Iran’s beleaguered president. On Thursday afternoon in his New York hotel, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad punted questions about human rights, expressed sympathy for the downtrodden masses of Europe and America, and otherwise managed to wear down an august assembly of American media, from New Yorker editor […]

International Organizations Iran

Issue Brief

Sep 15, 2011

How reliable is intelligence on Iran’s nuclear program?

By Barbara Slavin

At a public event on September 15, the Atlantic Council’s Iran Task Force launched the issue brief How Reliable is Intelligence on Iran’s Nuclear Program? authored by Task Force member Barbara Slavin.

Intelligence Iran

New Atlanticist

Sep 7, 2011

Sleepwalking into a Nuclear Nightmare

By Julian Lindley-French

With the West deep in sombre remembrance of 911, a new and dangerous shift in the nuclear balance is taking place in the shadows. There is a New Nuclear Realpolitik afoot that is shaping today’s world… and tomorrow’s. Iran is moving patiently towards a nuclear weapons system. Taken together the empty commitment made towards a […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Aug 30, 2011

Rules for Successful Engagement with Iran

By Hossein Mousavian

In his first year in office, President Barack Obama made unprecedented diplomatic gestures towards Iran, raising hopes that the animosities that have plagued US-Iran relations for the past three decades might be overcome and rapprochement achieved. In a special message on March 21, 2009, commemorating the Persian New Year, Obama promised a new approach that […]

Iran
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Experts

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

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

China Chinese
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