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.

See all analysis on Iran

Recent Events

See all events on Iran

Related Programs

Experts

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

All Iran Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 172 results
State of Play

Trump's Iran Deal: What Comes Next?

U.S. and Iran announce a framework deal with a 60‑day ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. CSIS experts analyze its winners, challenges ahead, and its impact on the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by CSIS Scholars — June 15, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS
The Impossible State

How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?

Dr. Victor Cha, Igor Khrestin, Joseph Kim, and Dr. Maria Snegovaya join Will Todman to assess CRINK’s vulnerabilities and U.S. policy options on democracy, rights, and security.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Victor Cha, and Maria Snegovaya — June 12, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast

Iran's Food Crisis

The war has exacerbated Iran's economic collapse and its cost-of-living crisis.

Newsletter by Lilya Yatim — June 12, 2026

The 2026 World Cup: Sports and Conflict

As the United States prepares to co-host the largest World Cup ever played, the link between sports and politics is no less relevant than it was during the Cold War. But can it create diplomatic opportunities or even peace breakthroughs?

Commentary by Victor Cha and Andy Lim — June 10, 2026

Banning Gasoline Exports Will Harm U.S. Energy Security

As the world borrows from oil inventory “savings” to offset the Middle East Gulf export closure, U.S. gasoline prices are likely to rise. But policymakers should avoid bad ideas like banning exports, which are prone to backfiring by ultimately raising prices and undermining energy security.

Commentary by Clayton Seigle — June 5, 2026