Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Iran Steps Over the Line on Nukes. What’s the Next Step for Trump?

At the very least, the International Atomic Energy Agency should be pressured to conduct closer inspections of Iranian enrichment sites and other nuclear facilities.

Jul 2, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

UAE Drawdown May Isolate Saudi Arabia in Yemen

The war-fatigued Emiratis appear to be leaving Riyadh to fend for itself in the fight against Iranian-backed rebels, underlining the necessity of Saudi-Houthi talks.

Jul 2, 2019

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Elana DeLozier

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Will See Sanctions on Him as a Direct Challenge to the Revolution

The Supreme Leader regards his rule as the central feature of the Islamic Revolution, so the latest White House order will seem like a shot at the entire system.

Jun 27, 2019

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Patrick Clawson
Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Past U.S.-Iran Confrontations Hold Lessons for Current Crisis

Despite its measured approach thus far, Tehran may come to view the latest showdown as an existential conflict with an irresolute adversary, warranting greater risk-taking on its part.

Jun 27, 2019

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

Democrats Can Show Trump the Way to Avoid War with Iran

The regime’s economic pain is real, so it may eventually be willing to talk about extending the nuclear deal’s sunset provisions and limiting its military infrastructure in Syria.

Jun 26, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Video

Brief Analysis

Assad's Thinking: How Did Syria Get Here, and Where Does the Regime Want to Go Now?

Former American and French ambassadors discuss the regime's calculus and preview the upcoming U.S.-Russia summit in Jerusalem. Watch video or read a summary.

Jun 21, 2019

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Michel Duclos
Robert Ford

Brief Analysis

Iran-Backed Militias Test the Credibility of Iraq’s Prime Minister

Rockets continue to fall on American facilities, part of a deliberate effort to keep Baghdad from making Iraq a neutral crossroads in the region.

Jun 19, 2019

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Trump Is a Belligerent Isolationist. But on Iran, He Needs Allies.

If the president wants to blunt Tehran’s sabotage campaign without a war, he needs to work closely with countries that share a stake in the free flow of oil.

Jun 19, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Iran Is Winning, but U.S. Has Options, in Gulf Crisis

Among other steps, Washington should release more intelligence on Tehran’s efforts to target energy assets while urging Gulf and European allies to visibly step up their military posture.

Jun 17, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

China’s Middle East Policy: Speak Softly and Wave a Large Purse

An Israeli analyst shares observations from an intensive round of discussions with senior Chinese military, diplomatic, and academic officials.

Jun 17, 2019

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Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Iran Seems Prepared for Major—But Measured—Escalation in the Gulf

The latest round of shipping attacks could be another notch in Tehran’s controlled military response to U.S. pressure, and bolder escalatory actions should be expected given the bleak outlook for negotiations.

Jun 14, 2019

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Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

What to Expect from the U.S.-Russia Meeting in Jerusalem

Ultimately, no deal is better than a bad deal, and Moscow’s track record in Syria suggests it is both unable and unwilling to keep Iran out.

Jun 12, 2019

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

The Face-Off Over Gulf Arms Sales: ‘Emergency’ or False Alarm?

As Congress questions whether certain arms sales merit emergency treatment, the White House may have opened a Pandora’s box of long-term consequences for legislative oversight, Gulf relations, and defense profits.

Jun 10, 2019

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Dana Stroul

Brief Analysis

Reshuffling Iraqi Generals: Who Benefits?

Three top commanders have been replaced in northern areas where Iran-backed militias are trying to outmuscle the regular security forces. Washington should find out why.

Jun 6, 2019

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Michael Knights
Alex Almeida

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

The Ends of Iran: Next Steps for Tehran and Its Neighbors

The former head of U.S. naval operations in the Gulf joins two military and diplomatic experts for a discussion on Iran's strategic calculus, allied perspectives, and Washington's policy options.

May 30, 2019

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Michael Eisenstadt
John Miller
Barbara A. Leaf

Articles & Testimony

A Deal Trump and Khamenei Could Make

Iran says it won’t negotiate with Washington under pressure, but it has done so in the past and might again.

May 29, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Are Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah Trying to Reprise Syria in Venezuela?

U.S. rivals are diversifying their support for the Maduro government in familiar fashion, whether to parry the United States, exploit the crisis for profit, or both.

May 23, 2019

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Jay Solomon

Articles & Testimony

The Problem with the U.S.-Backed Opposition Outside Iran

The international community must take steps to empower civil society within the Islamic Republic and protect it from being systematically persecuted and oppressed.

May 23, 2019

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Mehdi Khalaji

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Deceptive Nuclear Messaging

Tehran’s decision to renege on some of its nuclear commitments heralds a new period of disturbingly ambiguous announcements.

May 23, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Responding to Iranian Harassment of U.S. Facilities in Iraq

Tehran has reportedly told its militia proxies to be ready for escalation, so Washington must prepare to maintain a full presence in Iraq even under potentially increased fire.

May 21, 2019

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Michael Knights

Supported by the

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran poses the most serious and urgent set of security challenges to the United States and its allies in the greater Middle East. Since the Khomeini revolution in 1979, Iran has sought to export its radical ideology through the use of terrorism, subversion, and support to ideological fellow-travelers throughout the Muslim world.

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Featured experts

Farzin Nadimi

Farzin Nadimi, a Senior Fellow with The Washington Institute, is a Washington-based analyst specializing in the security and defense affairs of Iran and the Persian Gulf region.

Patrick Clawson

Patrick Clawson is the Morningstar Senior Fellow and Research Counselor at The Washington Institute.

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Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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