Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

The Obama Administration identifies Iran as a major threat to U.S. national security interests. This perception is generated by suspicions of Iran's intentions for its nuclear program- heightened by a November 8, 2011, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report-as well as by Iran's support for militant groups in the Middle East and in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. officials also accuse Iran of helping Syria's leadership try to defeat a growing popular opposition movement, and of taking advantage of Shiite majority unrest against the Sunni-led, pro-U.S. government of Bahrain. Tensions have been particularly elevated since Iran's late December 2011 threat to try to choke off much of the world's oil supplies by attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz-a reaction to the imposition of significant sanctions against Iran's vital exports of oil.

For further information, including pending Iran sanctions legislation, see CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions; and CRS Report R40094, Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations, by Paul K. Kerr.


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