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.

Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

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
Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

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
Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

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 15, 2022

Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

By Atlantic Council

On June 15, Emma Ashford’s new book, Oil, the State and War, was reviewed in The New Arab. The reviewer wrote, “Oil, the State, and War is a book that helps understand the times we live in. It will be a great addition to the library of both the general reader interested in global affairs […]

Corruption Defense Policy

IranSource

Jun 14, 2022

Iran is now a transit transportation hub for neighboring countries. Here’s how it happened.

By Borzou Daragahi

Since the Iran trade route was opened in October 2021, roughly one thousand trucks have made the trip between Turkey and the UAE, mostly carrying goods from west to east.

Economy & Business Iran

In the News

Jun 13, 2022

Kadhim quoted in New York Times on the unresolved political division among the Shiite political spectrum in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iran Iraq

IranSource

Jun 13, 2022

Israel’s policy toward Iran is failing by ‘a thousand cuts.’ Here’s why.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

There is a growing gap between the statements of senior Israeli officials and the reality on the ground.

Iran Israel

In the News

Jun 10, 2022

Kroenig and Ashford debate US policy toward the Persian Gulf

On June 10, Foreign Policy published its biweekly "It's Debatable" column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and NAEI resident senior fellow Emma Ashford. In their latest column, they debate President Biden's shifting policy toward US Gulf partners as Iran works to build the bomb.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

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
Load More

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
Load More