For decades, Iran has been a central – and often contentious – actor in the Middle East. Iran’s considerable economic and military resources, coupled with its history of projecting influence through both state and non-state actors, make it a central factor in regional stability and conflict. This guide explores the multifaceted ways in which Iran impacts broader tensions, from its support of non-state actors and involvement in regional conflicts (like those in Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon) to its nuclear program and complex relationships with neighboring states like Saudi Arabia and Israel.
As of mid-2025, the geopolitical landscape remains dynamic. Ongoing negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, evolving regional alliances, and internal pressures within Iran itself all contribute to a volatile environment. Understanding Iran’s motivations, capabilities, and strategic goals is crucial for comprehending the current and future trajectory of the Middle East. This research guide provides resources to navigate these complexities and foster a deeper understanding of this pivotal nation's role in the region.
Background
Iran, historically known as Persia until 1935, transitioned to an Islamic Republic in 1979 following the overthrow of the monarchy. A theocratic system of government was subsequently established, vesting ultimate political authority in the Supreme Leader – currently Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (since 4 June 1989). Relations with Western nations remain strained, largely due to concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities. Masoud Pezeshkian assumed the role of President on 30 July 2024.
Key Facts (CIA World Factbook, 2024)
Source: Central Intelligence Agency. “Iran.” The World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/factsheets/
The regime’s greatest victims are the Iranian people. Regime elites squander the people’s resources and opportunities, while suppressing freedom and basic human rights. To counter the regime’s destabilizing and malign behavior both at home and abroad, the United States is pursuing a maximum pressure campaign to deprive the regime of the resources it needs to brutalize its own people and fuel terrorism abroad.
Source: U.S. Department of State. "Understanding Iran" What is the U.S. Position on Iran, https://2017-2021.state.gov/the-islamic-republic-of-iran-a-dangerous-regime/#USPosition
America's First Clash with Iran
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In May 1987, the US frigate Stark was blown apart by an Iraqi jet fighter in the Persian Gulf, jumpstarting a major conflict with Iran that came to be known as the Tanker War. In America’s First Clash with Iran, author Lee Allen Zatarain employs Pentagon documents and firsthand interviews to reveal the full story of a conflict that may have presaged further battles to come.
Anticipating a Nuclear Iran
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This volume is based on the assumption that Iran will soon obtain nuclear weapons, and Jacquelyn K. Davis and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff Jr. develop alternative models for assessing the challenges of a nuclear Iran for U.S. security. Through three scenario models, the book explores the political, strategic, and operational challenges facing the United States in a post–Cold War world. The authors concentrate on the type of nuclear capability Iran might develop; the conditions under which Iran might resort to threatened or actual weapons use; the extent to which Iran's military strategy and declaratory policy might embolden Iran and its proxies to pursue more aggressive policies in the region and vis-à-vis the United States; and Iran's ability to transfer nuclear materials to others within and outside the region, possibly sparking a nuclear cascade. Drawing on recent post–Cold War deterrence theory, the authors consider Iran's nuclear ambitions as they relate to its foreign policy objectives, domestic politics, and role in the Islamic world, and they suggest specific approaches to improve U.S. defense and deterrence planning.
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ
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The grandson of an eminent ayatollah and the son of an Iranian diplomat, Hooman Majd offers perspective on Iran's complex and misunderstood culture through an insightful tour of Iranian society, introducing fascinating characters from all walks of life, including zealous government officials, tough female cab drivers, and open-minded, reformist ayatollahs. It's an Iran that will surprise readers and challenge Western stereotypes.
Iran Reframed
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More than half of Iran’s citizens were not alive at the time of the 1979 Revolution. Now entering its fifth decade in power, the Iranian regime faces the paradox of any successful revolution: how to transmit the commitments of its political project to the next generation. New media ventures supported by the Islamic Republic attempt to win the hearts and minds of younger Iranians. Yet members of this new generation―whether dissidents or fundamentalists―are increasingly skeptical of these efforts.
Iran Without Borders
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“No ruling regime,” writes Hamid Dabashi, “could ever have a total claim over the idea of Iran as a nation, a people.” For decades, the narrative about Iran has been dominated by a false binary, in which the traditional ruling Islamist regime is counterposed to a modern population of educated, secular urbanites. However, Iran has for many centuries been a nation forged from a diverse mix of influences, most of them non-sectarian and cosmopolitan.
