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.

Kroenig in Fox News on Iran’s development of nuclear weapons

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
Kroenig in Fox News on Iran’s development of nuclear weapons

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
Kroenig in Fox News on Iran’s development of nuclear weapons

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

Jun 8, 2022

Kroenig in Fox News on Iran’s development of nuclear weapons

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Fox News discussing Iran's continued attempts to develop a nuclear weapon.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

IranSource

Jun 8, 2022

‘From Cinema Rex to Metropol,’ Iranians have had enough

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

On May 23, a ten-story commercial tower came crashing down on people’s heads in Abadan. With each body recovered from the ruins, public anger crescendoed, leading to ongoing street protests in multiple areas in Khuzestan province and beyond.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 8, 2022

Slavin quoted in Al Jazeera on the future of the diplomatic track between the US and Iran

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iran

IranSource

Jun 2, 2022

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shaping national security debates in Iran

By Sina Azodi

With the future of talks in limbo, the Ukraine war has brought the debates over the future of Iran’s national security strategy to the fore once again.  

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Azodi quoted in Middle East Eye on Iran’s seizure of oil tankers in retaliation

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Ashford publishes book Oil, the State and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Emma Ashford’s book Oil, the State and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates was published by Georgetown University Press. The book challenges prevailing understandings of the international implications of oil wealth and shows why it can create bad actors. In a world where oil-rich states are more likely to start war than their oil-dependent counterparts, […]

Corruption Defense Policy

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Slavin quoted in ISPI on if Iranian protests should persuade Iran to come to terms with Washington

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

May 31, 2022

Canceled soccer ‘friendly’ reinforces Canada-Iran enmity

By Abbas Qaidari

The soccer match between Iran and Canada was an opportunity to repair the damage, but it is now just another missed opportunity.

Iran Middle East

Uncategorized

May 27, 2022

Azodi quoted in the New York Times on how Iran’s seizure of two Greek oil tankers was to send a clear message to the West

By Atlantic Council

Greece Iran

In the News

May 24, 2022

Slavin quoted in The New Arab on how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is strengthening Iran’s influence in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Extremism
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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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Events

Online Event Fri, April 10, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

The Red Sea front and Yemen’s role in the Iran war
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Iran Middle East
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