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.

Slavin quoted in L’Orient-Le Jour on negotiations between Washington and Tehran

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
Slavin quoted in L’Orient-Le Jour on negotiations between Washington and Tehran

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
Slavin quoted in L’Orient-Le Jour on negotiations between Washington and Tehran

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

Jan 13, 2022

Slavin quoted in L’Orient-Le Jour on negotiations between Washington and Tehran

By Atlantic Council

French Iran

Report

Jan 13, 2022

Iranians on #SocialMedia

By Holly Dagres

This report by the Future of Iran Initiative and Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) explores the social media habits of Iranian netizens and how the Islamic Republic is repressing the online space.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Human Rights

IranSource

Jan 11, 2022

Who’s on Iran’s current nuclear negotiating team? Some have controversial pasts.

By Mehrzad Boroujerdi

As nuclear talks in Vienna continue their halting progress, a look at the backgrounds of the key members of the Iranian negotiating team may help explain why it has been so difficult to revive the 2015 JCPOA.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 10, 2022

Azodi quoted in Defense News on Iran’s growing naval power

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Jan 7, 2022

Kroenig’s op-ed on Iran quoted in Politico’s National Security Daily newsletter

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Politico‘s National Security Daily newsletter quoted Matthew Kroenig and Mark Dubowitz’s recent Wall Street Journal op-ed encouraging the Biden administration to prepare military options if diplomatic negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program falter.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Jan 6, 2022

Kroenig in the Wall Street Journal: Biden’s moment of truth in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On January 6, the Wall Street Journal published a piece by Matthew Kroenig and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies’ Mark Dubowitz arguing that the United States should be prepared to take military action against Iran’s nuclear program if necessary.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Jan 6, 2022

Chamlou joins BBC to discuss the impacts of Iran’s weakening middle class

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

IranSource

Jan 4, 2022

There’s talk of a military option against Iran. Here’s why it’s unlikely.

By Abbas Qaidari

Could Iran’s program be contained by a military attack? And what would be the consequences in terms of collateral damage and regional instability?

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 3, 2022

Alyemany in the Independent Arabia: Red Sea Council

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Eritrea

In the News

Jan 3, 2022

Dagres quoted in Bloomberg on Internet Freedom in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Internet
Load More

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
Load More