Proliferation

Policy Analysis on Proliferation

The Rushdie Attack and Iran’s Deceptive “Fatwas”

Whether or not Tehran is proven to be involved, the incident holds significant implications for the regime's international diplomacy and terrorist activity—not to mention its claims about the applicability of Khamenei’s “nuclear fatwa.”

Aug 15, 2022

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Mehdi Khalaji

Photo of a Shahed drone in an Iranian military parade near imagery of Supreme Leader Khamenei..

Brief Analysis

Iranian Drones to Russia: Capabilities and Limitations

Besides signaling that Iran has shifted to active military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, the prospective transfer gives Moscow a stopgap option until its own advanced drones are ready for service.

Aug 1, 2022

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Farzin Nadimi

An Iranian soldier wearing an IRGC uniform salutes in front of an Iranin flag - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The United States Needs a Better Strategy to Deter Iran

A “more for more” agreement might be possible, but only if Iranian leaders are genuinely afraid of what they could lose without one.

Jul 6, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Israel Hoping for Shift in US Iran Policy from Diplomacy to Deterrence

A veteran Israeli security and intelligence official explains why the Biden administration must reinvigorate oil sanctions and demonstrate a commitment to act militarily.

Jun 30, 2022

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Zohar Palti

Brief Analysis

Iran Nuclear Explainer

A brief summary of technical terms relating to the country’s nuclear progress.

Jun 2, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Qatari leader Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Qatari Visit to Iran Suggests Possible Policy Breakthroughs

The emir will likely seek a role in reviving the nuclear agreement, as well as Iranian help with accommodating World Cup fans later this year.

May 11, 2022

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Simon Henderson

A Ghauri nuclear-capable missile on parade in Pakistan

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Renewed Saudi-Pakistan Contacts Revive Nuclear Fears

Deadlock in the Iran nuclear talks may prompt action by Riyadh, with Pakistani support.

Apr 27, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Pakistani men watch a televised address by Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 31, 2022 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Clock Runs Out on Imran Khan as Pakistan’s Prime Minister

Things to watch going forward include Islamabad’s relationship with traditional cash source Saudi Arabia and its geopolitical posture toward Iran and Afghanistan.

Apr 11, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz - source: Israeli Ministry of Defense

Video

Brief Analysis

Defense Minister Benny Gantz Discusses Israel's Strategic Challenges

The country's top defense official shares his insights on recent terrorist attacks, the Iran nuclear talks, the Ukraine war, expanding cooperation with regional countries, and more.

Apr 11, 2022

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Benny Gantz

Articles & Testimony

Why Arab Allies Don’t Trust the U.S. on Ukraine

“This will not stand,” the president said after Iraq invaded Kuwait, but no such fortitude has been evident in response to Iran’s continued aggression.

Apr 9, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

How Much Would Iran Gain Financially from Returning to the JCPOA?

A closer look at what funds would actually be accessible and what impact they would have on Iran’s economy.

Mar 16, 2022

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Katherine Bauer
Patrick Clawson

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in 2018 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Putin’s War Has Middle Eastern Countries Hedging Their Bets

Facing greater regional demands and limited resources, Washington will have to be more judicious in its obligations and more consistent in following through, lest its assurances fail to assure.

Mar 4, 2022

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David Schenker

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Game of Drones

After decades of steady development, Tehran now uses drones to complement its missiles and support the broader effort to bring the entire Middle East within its range.

Mar 2, 2022

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Farzin Nadimi

In-Depth Reports

Three Presidents, Three Flawed Iran Policies, and the Path Ahead

News reports of a nearing breakthrough in the Iran nuclear talks will trigger sighs of relief, but the deal will likely prove disappointing on many fronts.

Feb 25, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Breaks His Silence on the Nuclear Negotiations

After months of publicly ignoring the issue, the Supreme Leader reminded negotiators to follow his guidelines but refrained from explicitly supporting or rejecting the state of play in Vienna.

Feb 17, 2022

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Omer Carmi

In Iranian general unveils a new solid-fuel "Khaybar Sheikan" missile

Brief Analysis

Iran Takes Next Steps on Rocket Technology

Solid-propellant motors represent the future for the Islamic Republic, promising much longer ranges and orbit reach for its space and ballistic missile programs.

Feb 11, 2022

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Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Iran Is Preparing Its Public, But Not (Yet) for Nuclear Compromise

Despite its iron grip at home, the regime generally seeks to build domestic support for its policies—so what outcome has it been prepping the public for during the nuclear talks?

Feb 3, 2022

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Jason Brodsky
Omer Carmi

Brief Analysis

Will the Ukraine Standoff Affect the Iran Nuclear Talks?

Some Western policymakers seem to believe that Russia can be helpful on Iran even as it threatens to attack Ukraine, but they’re missing the bigger picture.

Jan 11, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Fighter Aircraft Could Give Iran a Nuclear Delivery Option

Newly disclosed interviews indicate that a key Pakistani source of Iran’s nuclear know-how also figured out how to equip F-16s with nukes.

Dec 20, 2021

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Next Budget Assumes No Nuclear Deal

The government seems to believe the economy will grow significantly even without sanctions relief or increased oil revenue.

Dec 14, 2021

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Patrick Clawson

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Featured experts

Patrick Clawson

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

Michael Singh

Michael Singh is the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Simon Henderson

Simon Henderson is the Baker Senior Fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute, specializing in energy matters and the conservative Arab states of the Persian Gulf.

Henry Rome

Henry Rome was a Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, specializing in Iran sanctions, economic, and nuclear issues.

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Proliferation

Policy Analysis on Proliferation

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