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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

There is growing support in the U.S. Congress to sanction Iran's central bank in response to new nuclear revelations. Some experts say such a move could backfire and help the regime.

The attack on the UK embassy in Tehran was clearly endorsed by the regime and signals more troubles ahead on the effort to contain its nuclear program, says expert Robin Wright.

This Congressional Research Service report reviews the history and efficacy of U.S. sanctions against Iran, as well as broadening international support and compliance.

Max Boot says the West is still failing to face up to the growing threat from the Islamic Republic.

This bipartisan amendment to the 2012 defense authorization bill, by Senators Robert Menendez and Mark Kirk, places sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and foreign institutions doing business with the Central Bank of Iran. Humanitarian exceptions are made for medicine, food, and medical equipment. The bill also allows the president to suspend sanctions if he finds it a matter of national security. The bill passed the Senate on December 1, 2011.

Elliott Abrams discusses the recent attacks on the British Embassy in Iran and says the United States and its allies must to use this opportunity get behind President Sarkozy's proposal to sanction Iran's central bank and stop its oil exports.

Secretary of State Clinton and Treasury Secretary Geithner gave these remarks on November 21, 2011, regarding the presidential executive order introducing new sanctions on Iran.

President Obama signed this executive order regarding sanctions against Iran on November 20, 2011.

CFR fellows Matthew Kroenig, Elliot Abrams and Ray Takeyh discuss the findings of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's nuclear program.

The UN nuclear agency's latest report contains no "gotcha" disclosures about Iran's nuclear capability but creates a clear impression of a weapons program in the works, says expert Mark Hibbs.