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.

Pavel in Defense One on US military posture in the Mideast

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
Pavel in Defense One on US military posture in the Mideast

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
Pavel in Defense One on US military posture in the Mideast

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 9, 2021

Pavel in Defense One on US military posture in the Mideast

By Atlantic Council

Barry Pavel publishes an article with Bilal Y. Saab in Defense One examining US military posture in the Mideast.

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Dec 9, 2021

Dagres joins Monocle to discuss the latest on the Iran nuclear talks

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

IranSource

Dec 8, 2021

China is the real barometer of the state of Iran nuclear talks in Vienna

By Jacopo Scita

China, which played an important if secondary role during the final leg of nuclear negotiations during 2013-2015, is the most suited of the P4+1—Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia—to exert effective leverage to bring Tehran back to compliance now.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Dec 7, 2021

Iran’s allies lost seats in the Iraqi elections. Now Tehran is recalibrating its strategy.

By Anonymous

Many analysts have interpreted the results of recent Iraqi parliamentary elections on October 10 as a sign of diminishing Iranian influence, but the reality is more nuanced.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 6, 2021

Slavin joins CGTV America to discuss the Iranian nuclear talks in Vienna

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Dec 6, 2021

Iran offers less for more as Vienna talks stall

By Barbara Slavin

More than five months after multilateral nuclear talks with Iran were paused before the country’s presidential elections in June, a new negotiating team arrived in Vienna in late November with additional demands and fewer concessions than its predecessors.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 5, 2021

Azodi joins BBC Persian to discuss the economic implications of reviving the JCPOA

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Dec 2, 2021

Azodi quoted in Al Jazeera on the US strategy towards Iran’s revival of nuclear talks in Vienna

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 2, 2021

Azodi quoted in Al Jazeera on US’ plan B if the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna fail

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 2, 2021

Nasr’s opinion piece in Foreign Affairs: All Against All – The Sectarian Resurgence in the Post-American Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Extremism
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