Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Will Morocco Extradite a Hezbollah Financier to the United States?

Last week's arrest highlighted the kingdom's role as a key counterterrorism partner, and following through on the U.S. extradition request could deliver a significant blow to Hezbollah's reputation and finances.

Mar 23, 2017

◆

Hanin Ghaddar
Sarah Feuer

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking

Brief Analysis

Khamenei's Nowruz Nuances

The Supreme Leader's two New Year's speeches provide a valuable look at the regime's internal dynamics as it attempts to balance economic concerns, electoral maneuvers, regional pan-Shiite issues, and the nascent policies of a new American administration.

Mar 22, 2017

◆

Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

The President's Syria Conundrum

In deciding whether to cooperate with Russia militarily, the U.S. administration must consider the Kremlin's ties to Iran and its Shiite proxies, and the associated risks of fueling future Sunni jihadist movements.

Mar 15, 2017

◆

Dennis Ross

In-Depth Reports

Defeating Ideologically Inspired Violent Extremism

A Strategy to Build Strong Communities and Protect the U.S. Homeland

Preventing and countering violent extremism is not a soft alternative to counterterrorism, but an essential toolkit to complement law enforcement's ongoing efforts to prevent violence.

Mar 13, 2017

◆

Matthew Levitt
Aaron Y. Zelin
Katherine Bauer
Jacob Olidort
Rand Beers
Adnan Kifayat
Samantha Ravich
Eric Rosand

Brief Analysis

Iran's Economy Post-Nuclear Deal: A Misleading IMF Scorecard

Iran's budget and banking system are being held hostage by unaccountable revolutionary institutions like the IRGC, but for some reason the IMF is not calling Tehran out on the glaring lack of transparency.

Mar 10, 2017

◆

Patrick Clawson

Iran's navy commander speaks in front of a map

Brief Analysis

Is Iran Attempting to Thwart U.S. Naval Surveillance of Its Missile Tests?

Tehran seems eager to extend the range and capabilities of its antiship missiles, and just as eager to prevent the West from monitoring its progress toward that end, even at the risk of escalating naval tensions.

Mar 9, 2017

◆

Farzin Nadimi

In-Depth Reports

Deterring Tehran:

An Iran Policy for the New Administration

The United States should adopt a strategy on Iran that erects daunting defenses to dissuade the Islamic Republic from challenging the interests of the United States and its allies and that imposes sharp, painful costs should Iran do so nonetheless. In this transition paper for the new administration, Institute managing

Mar 7, 2017

◆

Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Iran Takes Another Step Toward Fielding S-300 Missiles

If this and other recent air defense developments bear fruit, Iran might soon become self-sufficient in such technology and could even begin offering it for export.

Mar 7, 2017

◆

Farzin Nadimi

Articles & Testimony

Burning Questions for Trump on the Middle East: We Still Don't Know Where His Gut Instincts Are

Short-term benefits aside, America's partners in the Middle East will all suffer in the end if estrangement from the region becomes the norm of U.S. foreign policy.

Mar 7, 2017

◆

Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

What an Egyptian-Iranian Thaw Would Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy in the Region

If Washington fails to address Egypt's financial problems, its dispute with Saudi Arabia, and its over-emphasis on the dangers of Sunni Islamism, then American efforts to contain Iran could be in jeopardy.

Mar 4, 2017

◆

Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Bab al-Mandab Shipping Chokepoint Under Threat

Reports of Yemeni rebel mining activity are only the latest in a string of threats to international vessels transiting the narrow link between the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.

Mar 1, 2017

◆

Jeremy Vaughan
Simon Henderson

Fikra Forum

To Kurdistan and Back: Iran's Forgotten Front

At a conference in Dahuk in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq a few weeks ago, I was intrigued to see the leader of the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDP-I) -- which the Tehran regime considers a subversive, terrorist group -- address the assembled notables. Sitting in the front row

Feb 28, 2017

◆

David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Perceiving the Shia Dimension of Terrorism

By providing more effective governance and core services, Middle Eastern officials can prevent defeated terrorist groups from reemerging, but such efforts are largely futile without sustained U.S. and European military support.

Feb 28, 2017

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Iran Keeps a Lid on Its Latest 'Great Prophet' Exercise

The restrained nature of this month's military demonstration could signal a combination of dynamics in Tehran: a reaction to the Trump administration's arrival, a shift in the regime's threat assessments, or continued internal political maneuvering.

Feb 28, 2017

◆

Farzin Nadimi

Articles & Testimony

Escalation in Yemen Risks Famine, Collapse, Iranian Entrapment

Washington should not lend its support to any proposal that will make the Yemeni people long-term hostages to an Iran-enabled quagmire.

Feb 23, 2017

◆

Eric Pelofsky

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah Losing Its Luster Under Soleimani

Many Hezbollah fighters believe their Iranian supervisor in Syria views them as easily replaceable Arab cannon fodder, and the resultant tension is generating disillusionment about Tehran's claims of pan-Shiite unity.

Feb 22, 2017

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Middle Eastern Reactions to the U.S. Travel Ban

As the Trump administration prepares to revise its controversial entry restrictions, a sampling of quotes from officials around the region indicates that certain provisions will be a hard sell abroad.

Feb 22, 2017

Articles & Testimony

Is America No Longer the Middle East's Greatest Power?

Despite the recent challenges to Washington's regional supremacy, one irreducible reality is clear: the United States is still the only actor capable of forging partnerships that advance not just parochial, short-term interests, but the broader security, stability and prosperity needed to prevent further collapse.

Feb 16, 2017

◆

Richard Fontaine
Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Iran on Notice

A former Treasury official outlines the various steps Washington can take to support its stated goal of curbing provocative Iranian behavior such as ballistic missile tests, military interventionism, illicit financing, and terror sponsorship.

Feb 16, 2017

◆

Katherine Bauer

Fikra Forum

Saudi and Iranian Rapprochement in the Face of Russia and Turkey

It is strange to hear talk of an alliance between Saudi Arabia and Iran, whose competition is notorious. The two states, who have clashed in multiple countries, now find themselves in a new political situation which may force them to work together. At the very least they may have to

Feb 15, 2017

◆

Baraa Sabri

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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts