CFR.org - Iran

The United States and Iran: On the Brink (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:03:10 -0500

Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council, discusses the course of U.S.-Iran relations and escalating tensions surrounding the nuclear question, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's resources for the classroom at Educators Home.

Israel and Netanyahu, Pipe Down the Threats of War on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:44:21 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb says Israeli threats undercut prospects for a settlement with Iran.

A Third Option for Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:55:59 -0500

The extraordinary risks posed by a nuclear-armed Iran require Washington and its partners to step up activity on economic sanctions and diplomacy, even while preparing military options, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.

Iran and the U.S.-Saudi Relationship

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:34:58 -0500

The U.S.-Saudi relationship has become increasingly strained since the onset of the Arab awakening, and Iran's nuclear ambitions could pose further challenges, says expert F. Gregory Gause III.

Leslie H. Gelb on How President Obama Should Handle Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:26:18 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb says that in order to deal with Iran, President Obama needs to show the courage of offering a solid peace proposal instead of just drawing chest-thumping red lines.

Answering Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:46:35 -0500

Richard N. Haass argues that Iran's nuclear program may be the most important international issue in 2012.

The New York Times: Will Israel Attack Iran?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:10 -0500

After exploring Israel's ability, legitimacy, and necessity to attack Iran, Ronen Bergman believes that the country would certainly do so in 2012.

Limits of EU's Iranian Oil Embargo

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:07:55 -0500

The European Union's embargo on Iranian oil may bring Iran to the negotiating table but is unlikely to halt its controversial nuclear program, says CFR's Matthew Kroenig.

Managing Oil Market Disruption in a Confrontation with Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:53:33 -0500

U.S. and EU moves to sanction Iran's oil exports have prompted worries about a disruption of global oil markets. A new CFR energy brief by expert Robert McNally outlines scenarios where rising tensions could affect the price of oil and potential policy responses.

Can Sanctions Bring Iran to the Table?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:13:03 -0500

The EU's oil embargo is part of a larger Western effort to pressure Iran to reengage over its disputed nuclear program, but some debate the merits of intensified diplomacy with the regime in Tehran.

Joint Statement by Clinton and Geithner on EU's Iran Sanctions, January 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:53:09 -0500

Secretary of State Clinton and Treasury Secretary Geithner issued this joint statement regarding the EU's new round of sanctions against Iran, on January 23, 2012.

EU Sanctions Against Iran, January 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:07:50 -0500

On January 23, 2012 the EU voted on updated sanctions against Iran: EU Regulations 54/2012 and 56/2012, and Council Decision 2012/35/CFSP.

New York Times: Iran Face-Off Testing Obama the Candidate

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:02:23 -0500

The New York Times' Mark Landler discusses how Obama's response to escalating tensions with Iran will impact his campaign.

Recent Events in Iran and the Progress of Its Nuclear Program

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:06:08 -0500

CFR Senior Fellows Ray Takeyh and Matthew Kroenig discuss the escalating tension with Iran and the challenges it poses for US strategy in this Council on Foreign Relations Special Briefing.

Think Before Acting on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:33:48 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the need to examine the rationale for, and potential consequences of, going to war with Iran.

Campaign 2012: The Candidates on U.S.-Iran Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:05:39 -0500

Deterring Iran's nuclear weapons program is a foreign policy priority for the United States. Candidates for the 2012 presidential elections debate the best options, including a military strike.

Oil's Trouble Spots

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:16:01 -0500

With oil supplies tight, regions most vulnerable to oil supply disruptions present a significant economic concern, particularly threats to the Strait of Hormuz and unrest in Nigeria, explains this Backgrounder.

How the West Should Answer Iran’s Nuclear Aggression

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:16:16 -0500

Ray Takeyh says Iran's recent aggression is based on Tehran diligently pursuing a three-track policy that involves provocation of the international community and making noises about diplomacy as it relentlessly marches toward the bomb.

A Year for Elections, Not Mideast Peace

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:52:57 -0500

Elliott Abrams argues that President Obama will trumpet his commitment to Israel while wondering if it will attack Iran.

The Iran Deterrence Debate

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:09:29 -0500

The latest revelations over Iran's uranium enrichment activities have triggered debate over a slew of policy options from more sanctions to preventive strikes.

Tough Talk on Iran from GOP Candidates

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:22:33 -0500

Micah Zenko and Emma Welch argue that while the Republican presidential candidates overwhelmingly describe the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapons capability as "unacceptable" and endorse the use of military force if that were necessary to prevent an Iranian bomb, there is a complete absence of any details on how the use of force could accomplish this ambitious objective.

United States Condemns Iran's Announcement on Qom Facility, January 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:42:41 -0500

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave this statement on January 10, 2012 regarding Iran's enrichment program at the Qom facility.

How Serious Are Iran's Threats?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:09:37 -0500

Iran's threat to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz is intended to signal its deterrent capacity to the United States and bolster leadership at home amid biting economic sanctions, says expert Michael Elleman.

Persian Gulf Storm Clouds

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:17:19 -0500

Sanctions over Iran's nuclear program have triggered threats involving the strategic Strait of Hormuz and new debate over the methods chosen to pressure Tehran.

Iran Won't Close the Strait of Hormuz

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:40:43 -0500

Captain Bradley S. Russell, USN and Max Boot argue that Iran must realize that by initiating direct hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, it risks American retaliation against their covert nuclear-weapons program.

Time to Attack Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:57:53 -0500

Opponents of military action against Iran assume a U.S. military strike would be far more dangerous than simply letting Tehran build a bomb. Not so, argues this former Pentagon defense planner. With a carefully designed strike, Washington could mitigate the costs—or at least bring them down to a bearable level—and spare the region and the world from an unacceptable threat.

Joe Biden On Iraq, Iran, China, and the Taliban

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:47:44 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb interviews U.S. vice president Joe Biden.

Iran Has America's Super Spy Drone. So What?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:49:22 -0500

Micah Zenko argues that Iran's recent downing of a Sentinel drone is neither surprising nor particularly revealing.

Why Iran Remains Defiant on the Nuclear Bomb

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:10:15 -0500

Ray Takeyh says Iran's rulers view possession of a nuclear bomb as a means to return to the international fold on their own terms.

The Self-Limiting Success of Iran Sanctions

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:54:31 -0500

Ray Takeyh and Suzanne Maloney say that despite decades of struggling under punitive financial measures, Iran has persisted with its objectionable policies, ranging from terrorism to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.