Iran | Council on Foreign Relations

Are Israel and Iran Headed for All-Out War?

The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and targeted assassination of a Hezbollah military official in Beirut bring Israel and Iran, through its proxies, closer to war.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook Jul 31, 2024

Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate

The Middle East braces for the possibility of a full-scale war between Israel and Iran-backed forces after the assassinations of Hamas senior leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Podcast by Robert McMahon, Carla Anne Robbins, Ester Fang, and Gabrielle Sierra Aug 1, 2024

What Is Hezbollah?

Military experience gained fighting in Syria’s civil war and generous support from Iran have made the Shiite militant group a formidable foe for Israel. But at the same time, its political clout among Lebanon’s populace may be waning.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson Jul 30, 2024

What Could Change Under Iran’s New ‘Reformist’ President?

President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian campaigned as a moderate regarding issues such as the hijab law and nuclear negotiations, but the regime is unlikely to allow any sweeping changes.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh Jul 8, 2024

The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers

Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

Article by CFR.org Editors Jun 26, 2024

Defense and Security

Congress’s Funding Battle, Iran Sends Missiles to Russia, Orbán Defies the EU, and More

The U.S. Congress returns from its summer recess to try to pass a budget for federal discretionary programs before the fiscal year ends and avoid a government shutdown; the United States and other Western allies accuse Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, raising concerns over intensified strikes on Ukraine; Hungary faces a second deadline to pay a $221 million fine for breaking European Union asylum law, which President Viktor Orbán remains unwilling to follow; and China gifts Cambodia two newly built Type 056 corvette warships, raising questions about Beijing’s naval ambitions.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 12, 2024 The World Next Week
Military Operations

"The Houthis Have Defeated the U.S. Navy," or, What is a Navy For?

The mission of the U.S. Navy has for centuries been to keep the sea lines of communication open, but the United States is abandoning that task in the Middle East today.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams August 31, 2024 Pressure Points
Israel

The Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Where It Stands

Cross-border fighting has returned to a lower intensity following Israel’s preemptive strike in Lebanon, but the conflict could escalate again, and a reprisal from Iran remains likely.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook August 29, 2024 Middle East Program

Experts in this Region

Jared Cohen

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Martin S. Indyk

Lowy Distinguished Fellow in U.S.-Middle East Diplomacy (2018-2024)

Ray Takeyh

Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Peacekeeping

Women This Week: Sudanese Women Participate on Peace Talks

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers August 10 to August 16.

Blog Post by Noël James August 15, 2024 Women Around the World
Bangladesh

U.S. Presidential Campaign Picks Up, Iran Mulls Retaliation, Bangladesh’s New Government, and More

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, campaign ahead of the party’s convention; world leaders and diplomats reach out to Iran and Israel to head off a wider regional war after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran spurred retaliation threats; Bangladesh prepares an interim government after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country; and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government responds to anti-immigrant riots across the country.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins August 8, 2024 The World Next Week
Middle East and North Africa

Mapping the Growing U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East

The U.S. military has an extensive footprint in the Middle East, but it could surge forces in the region if a broader war erupts.

Article by Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow August 6, 2024

Iran

Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate, Venezuela Election Questioned, Edinburgh Fringe Shines, and More

The Middle East braces for the possibility of a full-scale war between Israel and Iran-backed forces after the assassinations of Hamas senior leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr; Venezuelans protest the results of the presidential election that grant incumbent President Nicolás Maduro a third term; the Edinburgh Festival Fringe spotlights wide-ranging, new talent; imprisoned journalists in Russia are freed in a major prisoner swap; and militant groups kill troops from Russia’s private military company Wagner Group, including a Wagner commander, in Mali.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins August 1, 2024 The World Next Week
Israel

Are Israel and Iran Headed for All-Out War?

The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and targeted assassination of a Hezbollah military official in Beirut bring Israel and Iran, through its proxies, closer to war.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook July 31, 2024
Lebanon

What Is Hezbollah?

Military experience gained fighting in Syria’s civil war and generous support from Iran have made the Shiite militant group a formidable foe for Israel. But at the same time, its political clout among Lebanon’s populace may be waning.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson July 30, 2024
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

NATO and Ukraine Beyond 75, Japan Hosts Pacific Islands, France’s Political Gridlock, and More

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wraps its seventy-fifth summit, pledging to keep Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership while concerns grow about the future of U.S. commitment; Japan hosts the tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting to counter China’s influence in the region; France struggles to form a government as party differences intensify; and President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian raises hopes for possible change in Iran.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins July 11, 2024 The World Next Week
U.S. Foreign Policy

U.S. Diplomacy in the Middle East: "Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?"

U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East seems unaware of how U.S. power should be deployed to decrease the chances of war and to support U.S. allies.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams July 9, 2024 Pressure Points
Iran

What Could Change Under Iran’s New ‘Reformist’ President?

President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian campaigned as a moderate regarding issues such as the hijab law and nuclear negotiations, but the regime is unlikely to allow any sweeping changes.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh July 8, 2024 Middle East Program
Daily News Brief

Left-Wing and Centrists Triumph in France, and Other Headlines of the Day

The Daily News Brief

Article by CFR.org Editors July 8, 2024
Israel

Visiting Israel, June 2024

In a visit in June, I found a somber mood and many doubts about the current national leadership.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams July 1, 2024 Pressure Points
Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Women Positioned to Lead the European Union in Top Jobs

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 22 to June 28.

Blog Post by Noël James June 28, 2024 Women Around the World