Reports on Crisis Resolution & Diplomacy

Publication Date: 2007/03/27

Publication / Source: Council on Foreign Relations

Author: CFR Staff

The tone of confrontation between Iran and predominantly Western states further intensified this week with the start of intensive U.S. Navy maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. The exercises, involving two U.S. aircraft carriers, their escorts, plus ships of the Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, come amid warnings from Britain over the Iranian seizure of fifteen of its military personnel, and after a unanimous weekend vote the by UN Security Council to impose new sanctions.

Publication Date: July 2001

Publication / Source: The Atlantic Council

The Middle East presents more difficult choices for policy makers than any other region of the world. Different U.S. interests pull in different directions, misperceptions abound, and expectations are often unrealistic. In this environment, orchestrating policies to advance and protect U.S. interests is extraordinarily difficult. U.S. policy toward Iran exemplifies this situation well. After more than twenty years of adversarial relations, the United States and Iran have both begun to demonstrate an interest in breaking out of this long stalemate. Broadly conceived, the benefits for both countries of an improved relationship would be significant. Time has soothed some past wounds and the rhetoric of hatred has subsided to a degree. However, serious differences remain.