Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

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

Articles & Testimony

Iran's Aggressions the Focus of 'Emergency' Arab Summit

Despite the challenges that usually accompany these high-level talks, Gulf countries seem keener than ever to counter the threat across the Persian Gulf.

May 21, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

‘No War, No Negotiation’ Is Iran’s Stance

By holding fast to his defiant approach while stopping just short of war, Khamenei may be hoping to stall until the next U.S. and Iranian election cycles.

May 21, 2019

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Rumors of War: Responding to Iranian Pushback in the Gulf

Washington should reduce tensions, open lines of communication, and restore deterrence, though managing the contradictions between these objectives will be challenging.

May 17, 2019

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Michael Eisenstadt
Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Saudi Oil in Iran’s Crosshairs

Attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia’s main internal pipeline have accelerated the emerging Gulf crisis and could cause prices to spike worldwide.

May 14, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

If Iran Deploys Missiles in Iraq: U.S.-Israeli Response Options

If Iran duplicates its formula from Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen by sending long-range missiles to Iraq, then future conflicts with Israel would likely include military action on Iraqi soil.

May 13, 2019

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Michael Knights
Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

Iraq-Turkey Pipeline Arbitration: Avoiding a Policy Train Wreck

Baghdad is suing Ankara for giving the Kurds independent pipeline access, but the biggest loser may be Washington’s pressure campaign on Iran.

May 8, 2019

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Six Potential Nuclear Steps

Hoping to pressure Europe into providing more concessions, Tehran may threaten to reduce its commitments under the nuclear deal, but can it avoid escalation with Washington while doing so?

May 7, 2019

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Omer Carmi

Articles & Testimony

U.S.-Iran, Israel-Gaza Turn Mideast into a Danger Zone Again

American ships and bombers are arriving in the Gulf at a time when nerves are raw and various players are making risky escalation wagers.

May 6, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Khamenei’s Breaking Point: How to Get Iran Back to the Negotiating Table

The chances of extracting substantial concessions from the current regime are not great, but the odds fall to zero if Washington withholds security assurances or waits for the inevitably chaotic transition period.

May 2, 2019

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Mehdi Khalaji

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Making Sense of Iraq's PMF Arrests

By highlighting the hypocrisy of recent ‘housecleaning’ campaigns, Washington can show the Iraqi public that Iran’s Shia militia networks offer no genuine solution to rampant corruption.

Apr 26, 2019

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Phillip Smyth

Articles & Testimony

More Money at the Gas Pump May Be the Price of Pressuring Iran

President Trump may be counting on the fact that U.S. voters oppose both higher gas prices and another war, but in the end he may have to pick one or the other.

Apr 23, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Renewing the Iran Sanctions Waivers (Part 2): Energy and Afghan Trade

Washington should phase out the oil waivers carefully and prevent Chabahar port from becoming an escape valve for Iran.

Apr 22, 2019

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Patrick Clawson

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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Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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