Iran

Iran and its proxies are a key regional player in the Middle East. The country represents a major adversary to U.S. foreign policy interests through conflicts with Israel, support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, its burgeoning nuclear program, and its influence over global oil flows. CSIS scholars provide essential analysis on Iranian military and energy capabilities and how Tehran thinks about its place in the regional and global order.

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Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Will Todman

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Williams

Heather Williams

Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Emily Harding

Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers

Deputy Director and Fellow, Project on Nuclear Issues
Clayton Seigle

Clayton Seigle

Senior Fellow and James R. Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics, Energy Security and Climate Change Program

All Iran Content

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Beyond Hacktivism: Iran's Coordinated Cyber Threat Landscape

Iran’s state sponsored hacktivist operations blur the line between state action and independent actors. Tracking this dynamic remains crucial in understanding Iran’s goals and capabilities as cyberattacks increase in the region.

Blog Post by Jiwon Lim — January 14, 2026

Unpacking the CRINK Axis

Join the CSIS Korea Chair for a discussion unpacking the growing ties among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, which some have called a CRINK axis or an "Axis of Upheaval." 

Event — October 28, 2025

Unpacking the CRINK Axis

The CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and the Korea Chair held a discussion unpacking the growing ties among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, which some have called a CRINK axis or an “Axis of Upheaval.”

Transcript — October 28, 2025

Responsible Reporting on Hostage Cases

The CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention and the National Press Club’s Press Freedom Center hosted a training for journalists on covering hostage cases, exploring best practices, coordination, and the human impact of hostage taking.

Event — October 14, 2025

CRINK Security Ties: Growing Cooperation, Anchored by China and Russia

This brief utilizes data to explore the strengths and limits of security cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK), with a focus on lessons learned from Russia’s war in Ukraine and Iran’s conflicts in the Middle East.

Brief by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Leon Li, Hugh Grant-Chapman, Truly Tinsley, and Feifei Hung — September 30, 2025