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.

Nia and Kmiotek in Foreign Policy: What Iranian Human Rights Defenders Can Learn From Syria and Beyond

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
Nia and Kmiotek in Foreign Policy: What Iranian Human Rights Defenders Can Learn From Syria and Beyond

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
Nia and Kmiotek in Foreign Policy: What Iranian Human Rights Defenders Can Learn From Syria and Beyond

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

Dec 8, 2022

Nia and Kmiotek in Foreign Policy: What Iranian Human Rights Defenders Can Learn From Syria and Beyond

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 8, 2022

Nia quoted in The Guardian on the UN’s fact-finding mission in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 8, 2022

Nia joins NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss how other countries can help protestors in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 8, 2022

Nia quoted in L’Orient Le Jour on the protests in Iran

By Atlantic Council

French Iran

Inflection Points

Dec 4, 2022

Autocratic setbacks offer Biden his ‘inflection point’ for democracies

By Frederick Kempe

This year has been a tough one for the world’s worst authoritarians: Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

China Conflict

In the News

Dec 2, 2022

Kroenig in the Jerusalem Post on strike options against Iranian nuclear sites

By Atlantic Council

Jerusalem Post quotes Matthew Kroenig on Iranian nuclear proliferation

Iran Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Nov 28, 2022

Kroenig on Fox News Sunday discussing North Korea and Iran

By Atlantic Council

On November 27, Scowcroft Center acting director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed by Jennifer Griffin on Fox News Sunday discussing North Korea’s latest missile test and protests in Iran.

Arms Control Civil Society

IranSource

Nov 23, 2022

Drone sales to Russia spark a debate in Iran

By Javad Heiran-Nia

The revelation that Iran has sold drones to Russia that the latter is now using to attack Ukraine has touched off a debate about whether this growing closeness to Russia is in Iran’s national interest.

Europe & Eurasia Iran

IranSource

Nov 22, 2022

Iranians are knocking clerics’ turbans off. This isn’t an anti-religion act but an indirect tool for accountability.

By Shadi Sadr

This viral trend of #Turban_Throwing is not an attack against Islam as a religion and faith, but rather a stand against a regime that has used religious practices as a cover to commit unimaginable violence.

Iran Middle East

China-MENA Podcast

Nov 22, 2022

China-Israel Relations

By Atlantic Council

Assaf Orion joins us to discuss the complex Sino-Israeli relationship, Israel’s perspective on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese-operated port of Haifa in Northern Israel, China’s meddling in Israeli domestic affairs and its role in the Israel-Palestine question, and Israel’s perspective on China's grand strategy on MENA.

China East Asia
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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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