{ "id": "R45795", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R45795", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 624662, "date": "2020-05-08", "retrieved": "2020-05-19T13:44:25.093115", "title": "U.S.-Iran Conflict and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have heightened significantly, and evolved into conflict after U.S. military forces killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and one of Iran\u2019s most important military commanders, in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. The United States and Iran have appeared to be on the brink of additional hostilities since, as attacks by Iran-backed groups on bases in Iraq inhabited by U.S. forces have continued. \nThe background to the U.S.-Iran tensions are the 2018 Trump Administration withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), and Iran\u2019s responses to the U.S. policy of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Since mid-2019, Iran and Iran-linked forces have attacked and seized commercial ships, destroyed some critical infrastructure in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, conducted rocket and missile attacks on facilities used by U.S. military personnel in Iraq, downed a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle, and harassed U.S. warships in the Gulf. As part of an effort it terms \u201cmaximum resistance,\u201d Iran has also reduced its compliance with the provisions of the JCPOA. The Administration has deployed additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nThe U.S.-Iran tensions still have the potential to escalate into all-out conflict. Iran\u2019s materiel support for armed factions throughout the region, including its provision of short-range ballistic missiles to these factions, and Iran\u2019s network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. Iran has continued all its operations in the region despite wrestling with the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected Iran significantly. United States military has the capability to undertake a range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests, and raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. defense relations with the Gulf states. \nDespite the tensions and some hostilities with Iran since 2020 began, President Donald Trump continued to state that his policy goal is to negotiate a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. High-ranking officials from several countries have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by encouraging direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but Iran insists that the United States lift sanctions as a precondition for talks, and no U.S.-Iran talks have been known to take place to date. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "e1c721b4a175c4ceae643ff55bacb862c0d7fc71", "filename": "files/20200508_R45795_e1c721b4a175c4ceae643ff55bacb862c0d7fc71.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/2.png": "files/20200508_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20200508_R45795_images_ad2b5cc2521feada647ec37284ae9fdd5304bb1f.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/3.png": "files/20200508_R45795_images_00d39ba7dfd5921a6c2743d200ecf26fcb41c06a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200508_R45795_images_7c0b97ead4a8b5e7619965e0704d17205a692237.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "be3e59133bd9d262d404c205d5a77a2f894b5e87", "filename": "files/20200508_R45795_be3e59133bd9d262d404c205d5a77a2f894b5e87.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 612920, "date": "2020-01-06", "retrieved": "2020-01-10T23:16:26.493233", "title": "U.S.-Iran Conflict and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have heightened significantly, and evolved into conflict after U.S. military forces killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and one of Iran\u2019s most important military commanders, in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on January 2, 2020. \nIn 2018, the Trump Administration withdrew from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), and since mid-2019 has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Apparently in response to the maximum pressure campaign, Iran and Iran-linked forces have attacked and seized commercial ships, caused destruction of some critical infrastructure in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, attacked facilities used by U.S. military personnel in Iraq, and downed a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. As part of an effort its leaders term \u201cmaximum resistance,\u201d Iran has also reduced its compliance with the provisions of the JCPOA. The Administration has been deploying additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nThe U.S.-Iran tensions have the potential to escalate into all-out conflict in the wake of Soleimani\u2019s killing. Iran\u2019s materiel support for armed factions throughout the region, including its provision of short-range ballistic missiles to these factions, and Iran\u2019s network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. The United States military has the capability to undertake a range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests, and raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. defense relations with the Gulf states in preventing future such Iranian attacks. \nPresident Donald Trump has consistently stated that he wants a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. High-ranking officials from several countries have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by encouraging direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but no direct talks have been known to take place to date or are scheduled. The strike on Soleimani, who is revered among many factions in Iran for his success in orchestrating Iran\u2019s strategy of exerting regional influence, has produced an emotional response among Iran\u2019s leaders and population. Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader and IRGC leaders have stated that Iran will retaliate militarily, although at an unspecified time and in unstated ways, seemingly dimming the prospects for U.S.-Iran talks on a new JCPOA at least in the near term. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "e7185eb7f837ed2ad5afe345875ef5f2e512c041", "filename": "files/20200106_R45795_e7185eb7f837ed2ad5afe345875ef5f2e512c041.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/2.png": "files/20200106_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20200106_R45795_images_ad2b5cc2521feada647ec37284ae9fdd5304bb1f.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/3.png": "files/20200106_R45795_images_00d39ba7dfd5921a6c2743d200ecf26fcb41c06a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200106_R45795_images_7c0b97ead4a8b5e7619965e0704d17205a692237.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "7512d8b389eab360121bc0f74a422ffa6ad68785", "filename": "files/20200106_R45795_7512d8b389eab360121bc0f74a422ffa6ad68785.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 612418, "date": "2020-01-03", "retrieved": "2020-01-04T23:15:34.530567", "title": "U.S.-Iran Conflict and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have heightened significantly, especially since U.S. military forces killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and one of Iran\u2019s most important military commanders, in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on January 2, 2020. \nThe Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have attacked and seized commercial ships, caused destruction of some critical infrastructure in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and posed threats to U.S. forces and interests, including downing a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. Iran has reduced its compliance with the provisions of the JCPOA. The Administration has been deploying additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he wants a diplomatic solution that would not only ease tensions but resolve broader disputes with Iran, centered on a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. High-ranking officials from several countries have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by encouraging direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but no direct talks have been known to take place to date or are scheduled. \nThe U.S.-Iran tensions have the potential to escalate into significant conflict in the wake of Soleimani\u2019s killing. Iran\u2019s materiel support for armed factions throughout the region, including its provision of short-range ballistic missiles to these factions, and Iran\u2019s network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. The United States military has the capability to undertake a range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests, and raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. defense relations with the Gulf states in preventing future such Iranian attacks. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "af3f5a998ab191620d794afd5b372de3b44ee444", "filename": "files/20200103_R45795_af3f5a998ab191620d794afd5b372de3b44ee444.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/2.png": "files/20200103_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20200103_R45795_images_ad2b5cc2521feada647ec37284ae9fdd5304bb1f.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/3.png": "files/20200103_R45795_images_00d39ba7dfd5921a6c2743d200ecf26fcb41c06a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200103_R45795_images_7c0b97ead4a8b5e7619965e0704d17205a692237.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "683f8b5178c403b4ced4078d263086c61121aa0c", "filename": "files/20200103_R45795_683f8b5178c403b4ced4078d263086c61121aa0c.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 612208, "date": "2019-12-30", "retrieved": "2020-01-02T13:29:58.245917", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated significantly, but have not erupted into armed conflict. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have attacked and seized commercial ships, caused destruction of some critical infrastructure in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and posed threats to U.S. forces and interests, including downing a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. Iran has reduced its compliance with the provisions of the JCPOA. The Administration has been deploying additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he wants a diplomatic solution that would not only ease tensions but resolve broader disputes with Iran, centered on a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. High-ranking officials from several countries have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by encouraging direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but no direct talks have been known to take place to date or are scheduled. \nThe United States - Iran tensions have the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. Iran\u2019s materiel support for armed factions throughout the region, including its provision of short-range ballistic missiles to these factions, and Iran\u2019s network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests, and raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. defense relations with the Gulf states in preventing future such Iranian attacks. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "9f174f840779acea46f081aed500e64e187856db", "filename": "files/20191230_R45795_9f174f840779acea46f081aed500e64e187856db.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/2.png": "files/20191230_R45795_images_00d39ba7dfd5921a6c2743d200ecf26fcb41c06a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20191230_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20191230_R45795_images_7c0b97ead4a8b5e7619965e0704d17205a692237.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "80acc133d9a9d254af7a64ae67dad0b6a2ec527f", "filename": "files/20191230_R45795_80acc133d9a9d254af7a64ae67dad0b6a2ec527f.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 611568, "date": "2019-12-13", "retrieved": "2019-12-20T16:35:29.688214", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated significantly, but have not erupted into armed conflict. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have attacked and seized commercial ships, caused destruction of some critical infrastructure in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and posed threats to U.S. forces and interests, including downing a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. Iran has reduced its compliance with the provisions of the JCPOA. The Administration has been deploying additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he wants a diplomatic solution that would not only ease tensions but resolve broader disputes with Iran, centered on a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. High-ranking officials from several countries have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by encouraging direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but no direct talks have been known to take place to date or are scheduled. \nThe United States - Iran tensions have the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. Iran\u2019s materiel support for armed factions throughout the region, including its provision of short-range ballistic missiles to these factions, and Iran\u2019s network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests, and raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. defense relations with the Gulf states in preventing future such Iranian attacks. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "a36af499ceac72b44085f09710708042dccb8c90", "filename": "files/20191213_R45795_a36af499ceac72b44085f09710708042dccb8c90.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20191213_R45795_images_00d39ba7dfd5921a6c2743d200ecf26fcb41c06a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20191213_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "64c81fd6fe563e35907fcfbf5f0b09e9b9ef8865", "filename": "files/20191213_R45795_64c81fd6fe563e35907fcfbf5f0b09e9b9ef8865.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 605568, "date": "2019-09-23", "retrieved": "2019-10-10T22:28:01.269431", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated significantly, but have stopped short of erupting into armed conflict. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have attacked and seized commercial ships, caused destruction of some critical infrastructure in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and posed threats to U.S. forces and interests, including downing a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. Iran has exceeded some nuclear limitations stipulated in the JCPOA. The Administration has sent additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions and has continued to impose additional U.S. sanctions on Iran. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he wants a diplomatic solution that would not only ease tensions but resolve broader disputes with Iran, centered on a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. High-ranking officials from several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq, as well as some Members of Congress, have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions, or otherwise encourage direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but no direct talks have been known to take place to date or are scheduled, including during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York that both leaders are expected to attend. \nThe action-reaction dynamic between the United States and Iran has the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a large range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. However, Iran\u2019s alliances with and armed support for armed factions throughout the region, and its network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests, and raised questions about the effectiveness of U.S. defense relations with the Gulf states in preventing Iranian attacks. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the uptick in U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration planning for further U.S. responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "4935dfbddcef36ab52fdafd78c9a773049d918c6", "filename": "files/20190923_R45795_4935dfbddcef36ab52fdafd78c9a773049d918c6.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20190923_R45795_images_aa1c5d52dacc39b58332bf3f3ef682a1409b8eb3.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190923_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "66e80539e96bf04fce4b8e942a9ef0a7b2b811dc", "filename": "files/20190923_R45795_66e80539e96bf04fce4b8e942a9ef0a7b2b811dc.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 605264, "date": "2019-09-17", "retrieved": "2019-09-20T22:08:36.968599", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated, but not erupted into armed conflict. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have targeted and sometimes seized commercial ships, attacked critical infrastructure in U.S. partner countries, and posed threats to U.S. forces and interests, including downing a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. The Administration has sent additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he wants a diplomatic solution that would not only ease tensions but resolve broader disputes with Iran, centered on a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. Since May 2019, the Administration has placed further pressure on Iran\u2019s economy by expanding U.S. sanctions against Iran, including sanctioning its mineral and petrochemical exports, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamene\u2019i and his associates. Iran has begun to exceed some nuclear limitations stipulated in the JCPOA. High-ranking officials from several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq, as well as some Members of Congress, have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions, or otherwise encourage direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. President Trump has stated that he welcomes talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions, but no direct talks have been known to take place to date or are scheduled, including during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York that both leaders are expected to attend. \nThe action-reaction dynamic between the United States and Iran has the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a large range of options against Iran, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. However, Iran\u2019s alliances with and armed support for armed factions throughout the region, and its network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. A September 14, 2019, attack on critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that Iran and/or its allies have the capability to cause significant damage to U.S. allies and to U.S. regional and global economic and strategic interests. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the uptick in U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration planning for further U.S. responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "16cdc13bea40531c050aac90d5263769122ef853", "filename": "files/20190917_R45795_16cdc13bea40531c050aac90d5263769122ef853.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20190917_R45795_images_aa1c5d52dacc39b58332bf3f3ef682a1409b8eb3.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190917_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "581cad4428e68b7fc40d93f88a156bbb1f0bf95a", "filename": "files/20190917_R45795_581cad4428e68b7fc40d93f88a156bbb1f0bf95a.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 604199, "date": "2019-08-30", "retrieved": "2019-08-30T22:11:49.907318", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated, but not erupted into armed conflict. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have targeted and sometimes seized commercial ships, attacked infrastructure in U.S. partner countries, and posed threats to U.S. forces and interests, including downing a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle. The Administration has sent additional military assets to the region to try to deter future Iranian actions. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he wants a diplomatic solution with Iran, including a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program and broader U.S. concerns about Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. Since May 2019, the Administration has placed further pressure on Iran\u2019s economy by expanding U.S. sanctions against Iran, including sanctioning its mineral and petrochemical exports, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamene\u2019i and his associates. Iran has begun to exceed some nuclear limitations stipulated in the JCPOA. High-ranking officials from several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq, as well as some Members of Congress, have sought to mediate to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions, or otherwise encourage direct talks between Iranian and U.S. leaders. No direct talks have been known to take place to date, but President Trump and other senior U.S. officials state that they welcome talks with senior Iranian figures without preconditions. \nThe action-reaction dynamic between the United States and Iran has the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a large range of options against Iran in the event of conflict, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. However, Iran\u2019s alliances with and armed support for armed factions throughout the region, and its network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the uptick in U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration planning for further U.S. responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in: CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "4454e518b7d728ddbabd51d7666fe6625da0fcaf", "filename": "files/20190830_R45795_4454e518b7d728ddbabd51d7666fe6625da0fcaf.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20190830_R45795_images_aa1c5d52dacc39b58332bf3f3ef682a1409b8eb3.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190830_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "2cc218d10715b9e1793856a3736d740be25e7d0f", "filename": "files/20190830_R45795_2cc218d10715b9e1793856a3736d740be25e7d0f.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 603302, "date": "2019-07-29", "retrieved": "2019-08-12T22:14:34.857233", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have targeted commercial ships and infrastructure in U.S. partner countries. U.S. officials have stated that Iran-linked threats to U.S. forces and interests, and attacks on several commercial ships in May and June 2019, have prompted the Administration to send additional military assets to the region to deter future Iranian actions. However, Iran\u2019s downing of a U.S. unmanned aerial aircraft might indicate that Iran has not been deterred, to date. \nPresident Donald Trump has said he prefers a diplomatic solution over moving toward military confrontation, including a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also broader U.S. concerns about Iran\u2019s support for regional armed factions. During May-June 2019, the Administration has placed further pressure on Iran\u2019s economy. By expanding U.S. sanctions against Iran, including sanctioning its mineral and petrochemical exports, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamene\u2019i. Iranian leaders have refused to talk directly with the Administration, and Iran has begun to exceed some nuclear limitations stipulated in the JCPOA. High-ranking officials from several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq, have visited Tehran to try to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions. \nAn expanding action-reaction dynamic between the United States and Iran has the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a large range of options against Iran in the event of conflict, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. However, Iran\u2019s alliances with and armed support for armed factions throughout the region, and its network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the uptick in U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration planning for further U.S. responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in: CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "4daafb72c405c08d71ad8e34c9396a09d24887f7", "filename": "files/20190729_R45795_4daafb72c405c08d71ad8e34c9396a09d24887f7.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/1.png": "files/20190729_R45795_images_aa1c5d52dacc39b58332bf3f3ef682a1409b8eb3.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190729_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "f2cc35bca4ab3d92b92fc62f877069555cc448a7", "filename": "files/20190729_R45795_f2cc35bca4ab3d92b92fc62f877069555cc448a7.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4758, "name": "Middle East & North Africa" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 601505, "date": "2019-07-01", "retrieved": "2019-07-03T22:10:15.137865", "title": "U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy", "summary": "In the spring of 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated. The Trump Administration, following its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d on Iran. Iran or Iran-linked forces have targeted commercial ships and infrastructure in U.S. partner countries. \nU.S. officials have stated that Iran-linked threats to U.S. forces and interests, and attacks on several commercial ships in May and June 2019, have prompted the Administration to send additional military assets to the region to deter future Iranian actions. President Donald Trump, while warning Iran not to take action against the United States, has said he prefers a diplomatic solution over moving toward military confrontation. The Administration has expanded U.S. sanctions against Iran, including sanctioning its mineral and petrochemical exports during May-June 2019, placing further pressure on Iran\u2019s economy. \nIranian leaders have refused to talk directly with the Administration, and they have announced an intent to no longer comply with some aspects of the JCPOA. U.S. allies and other countries such as Russia and China have expressed a preference to reduce tensions. Several countries, including Japan, Germany, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq, have sought to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by sending high-level officials to Tehran for talks. \nAn expanding action-reaction dynamic between the United States and Iran has the potential to escalate into significant conflict. The United States military has the capability to undertake a large range of options against Iran in the event of conflict, both against Iran directly and against its regional allies and proxies. However, Iran\u2019s alliances with and armed support for armed factions throughout the region, and its network of agents in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, give Iran the potential to expand any confrontation into areas where U.S. response options might be limited. \nMembers of Congress have received additional information from the Administration about the causes of the uptick in U.S.-Iran tensions and Administration planning for further U.S. responses. They have responded in a number of ways; some Members have sought to pass legislation requiring congressional approval for any decision by the President to take military action against Iran. \nAdditional detail on U.S. policy options on Iran, Iran\u2019s regional and defense policy, and Iran sanctions can be found in: CRS Report RL32048, Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions, by Kenneth Katzman; CRS Report R44017, Iran\u2019s Foreign and Defense Policies, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45795", "sha1": "41eba1d67ece3f615d4ba1c309aeb8218cada995", "filename": "files/20190701_R45795_41eba1d67ece3f615d4ba1c309aeb8218cada995.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45795_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190701_R45795_images_06628d285411636dd57b7835dbce384891ab9b9a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45795", "sha1": "442d392d450a1cc1f17ab34b81285fc6eb2dcfc7", "filename": "files/20190701_R45795_442d392d450a1cc1f17ab34b81285fc6eb2dcfc7.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [] } ], "topics": [ "Foreign Affairs", "Intelligence and National Security", "Middle Eastern Affairs", "National Defense" ] }