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.

Lipsky published in Politico on economic statecraft.

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
Lipsky published in Politico on economic statecraft.

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
Lipsky published in Politico on economic statecraft.

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.

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Content

In the News

Nov 2, 2023

Lipsky published in Politico on economic statecraft.

By Josh Lipsky

Read the full Op-Ed here.

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Nov 1, 2023

Lipsky quoted in New York Times’ DealBook on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Read the full newsletter here.

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Nov 1, 2023

Bauerle Danzman quoted in Bloomberg on political risk and elections.

Read the full article here.

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Oct 30, 2023

Global Sanctions Dashboard: How Iran evades sanctions and finances terrorist organizations like Hamas included in the Illicit Edge Newsletter

Read the full newsletter here.

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Oct 30, 2023

Mohseni-Cheraghlou cited in Semafor on trade in the African continent.

Read the full newsletter here.

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Oct 26, 2023

Donovan and event “The Third Party Problem” mentioned in Energy Intelligence on Iran oil sanctions.

Read the full article here.

Extremism Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Econographics

Oct 26, 2023

Global Sanctions Dashboard: How Iran evades sanctions and finances terrorist organizations like Hamas

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Ryan Murphy, and Yulia Bychkovska

Iran’s financing of Hamas and other terrorist organizations; UAE’s role in facilitating Iran and Russia sanctions evasion; lifting of UN sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program.

European Union Financial Regulation
The very top of the US Capitol building is visible with a pink sunset in the background and a US flag on a flagpole to the side.

Testimony

Oct 25, 2023

The urgent threats posed by the Iranian regime: Atlantic Council experts testify before the US House Committee on Homeland Security

By Nathan Sales and Thomas S. Warrick

Nathan Sales and Thomas Warrick testify before the House Committee on Homeland Security on the threat Iran poses to the United States.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 24, 2023

The legal challenges in holding Iran accountable for supporting Hamas

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Under current international law, a state actor may only be responsible for the actions of a proxy if it directs the proxy to take those actions or knows that the provided material would be used to commit certain crimes.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2023

Live expertise: The latest insight as the Israel-Hamas war intensifies

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts are analyzing the Israel-Hamas conflict as it enters its third week.

Conflict Extremism
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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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