Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Articles & Testimony

Get Serious About a Buffer Zone in Syria

Obama needs to show that he's willing to shift the Middle East balance of power against Iran.

May 8, 2015

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Assuring Uneasy Gulf Allies at Camp David: The Military Dimension

The United States will need to supplement its traditional approach of focusing on arms transfers, military presence, and redlines with a commitment to push back against Iranian regional influence.

May 7, 2015

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

The Camp David Conference Under the Shadow of Cuba

To ensure a successful summit with GCC leaders, the administration needs to make clear that its one-sided, 'transformational' approach to Cuba will not be repeated with the Iran nuclear deal.

May 5, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Video

In-Depth Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Anniversary Message to The Washington Institute

Prime Minister of Israel Binyamin Netanyahu reiterated his country's objections to the proposed P5+1 nuclear deal with Iran in a prerecorded message to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on the occasion of the research organization's 30th anniversary symposium, which took place April 29 - May 1, 2015.

May 1, 2015

Brief Analysis

Iran and Saudi Arabia on a Collision Course

To prevent recent airline and shipping incidents from escalating into a wider military confrontation with Iran, all sides will need to exercise great caution in the Persian Gulf and the skies over Yemen.

Apr 30, 2015

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Farzin Nadimi

In-Depth Reports

Key Elements of a Strategy for the United States in the Middle East

The United States needs to take action to prevent the collapse of the state system in the Middle East and counter the rising influence of both Sunni and Shiite extremists, argues a new strategy report from The Washington Institute. Given the vital role that partnership with Sunni Arab states and

Apr 30, 2015

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Samuel Berger
Stephen Hadley
James Jeffrey
Dennis Ross
Robert Satloff

Video

In-Depth Reports

From Today to January 2017

A Conversation on the Balance of the Obama Administration and the Middle East

Watch a panel discussion among leading international journalists following Vice President Biden's remarks to the Institute's 30th anniversary gala dinner.

Apr 30, 2015

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Judith Miller
Hisham Melhem
Lally Weymouth
Ehud Yaari
Robert Satloff

In-Depth Reports

Remarks of Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew to The Washington Institute

On April 29, 2015, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew addressed a gala dinner marking the Institute's 30th anniversary. The event took place at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Following are Secretary Lew's prepared remarks. I would like to thank my dear friend Barbi Weinberg for

Apr 29, 2015

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Jacob Lew

Articles & Testimony

3 Flaws in the Iran Nuclear Framework That Could Undermine a Final Deal

If negotiators don't believe they can reach an agreement that addresses Iran's destabilizing regional activities, they should indicate how they will plug the holes in the current deal.

Apr 28, 2015

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Michael Singh

A banner of Iran's former Supreme leader Khomeini

Articles & Testimony

Iran Won't Give Up on Its Revolution

Given Iran's hegemonic history under the Safavids, the Shah, and the mullahs alike, Washington should not expect the regime to compromise its principles any time soon.

Apr 26, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay
James Jeffrey
Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Why a Houthi Leader Is Buried in Hezbollah's Cemetery

Mohammed Abdel Malik al-Shami's life and death highlight the ongoing challenge posed by Iran's destabilizing posture throughout the region, including in Yemen.

Apr 24, 2015

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

The Classic Blood Libel Against Jews Goes Mainstream in Iran

A recent article on a high-profile political website shows how even the most primitive anti-Semitic slurs and conspiracy theories have found their way into all levels of Iranian discourse.

Apr 21, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

How to Save the Iran Deal

Although Ayatollah Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard oppose nuclear inspections, President Obama should stand tough because transparency is the only way to make the deal work.

Apr 20, 2015

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Changing Iran Trends in the Worldwide Threat Assessment

The past two editions of the annual intelligence report show a marked shift away from discussing Iran's hegemonic regional ambitions and terrorism sponsorship.

Apr 14, 2015

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Marina Shalabi
Ian Duff

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Warns That Nuclear Deal May Fall Apart

The Supreme Leader expressed skepticism that any progress was made at Lausanne and warned about barriers to resolving the nuclear impasse.

Apr 9, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Polarized Arab Reactions to the Iran Nuclear Framework

The Assad regime and Hezbollah back Iran's view of the announced parameters, but most other Arab officials and commentators are openly skeptical.

Apr 9, 2015

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

How the Framework Is Playing Inside Iran

Iran needs a nuclear deal to provide daylight for its stricken economy, but if the supreme leader senses that the impending agreement falls short of that, he may impose new redlines that effectively close down the discussions.

Apr 8, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

The Iranian Deal in Middle Eastern Geopolitics

In recent days, the U.S. Government reshuffled the Middle Eastern deck dramatically, signing a framework agreement with Iran but also buttressing America's traditional regional allies -- supporting the Saudi-led Arab force in Yemen, lifting arms delivery constraints on Egypt, launching air strikes against ISIS in Tikrit after Iran's effort there

Apr 7, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Iranians Debate: What Next with the United States?

President Rouhani speaks of conciliation with the United States, but the differing bilateral descriptions of the parameters have some Iranians worried that a deal is by no means certain.

Apr 6, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji
Patrick Clawson

Video

Brief Analysis

Making Sense of Chaos in the Middle East

Multiple Wars, Multiple Alliances

Volcanic changes in the region are under way, with the outbreak of Sunni-Shiite wars in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, unprecedented tension between Washington and Israel, and U.S.-Iranian nuclear talks that appear on the verge of breakthrough. Watch an expert discussion of these challenges and the future of U.S. policy in the region.

Apr 6, 2015

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James Jeffrey
Dennis Ross

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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