Iran: Background and U.S. Policy (Updated Yearly)

Key Chapter Title List

1. Overview and Congressional Focus Issues
2. The Iranian Axis of Resistance and Regional Conflicts
3. U.S.-Iran Relations: Background and Recent Measures
4. Iranian Foreign Policy
5. Iran's Political System
6. Iran's Military: Structure and Capabilities
7. Iran's Nuclear Program
8. U.S. Sanctions on Iran
9. Future Outlook

Document Introduction

This report, updated by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) in December 2024, serves as a professional policy analysis tool for U.S. Members of Congress and committees. It focuses on Iran's geopolitical role, the evolution of its regional influence, and core issues in U.S. policy toward Iran. Using the regional turmoil triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023 as a starting point, the report centrally examines the effectiveness of Iran's traditional asymmetric power projection model and its future strategic adjustment directions following military and strategic setbacks.

The report systematically outlines the composition of the Iranian Axis of Resistance and key dynamics from 2023-2024. This includes the military setbacks of Iran-backed armed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas, the impact of the Syrian Assad regime's decline on Iran's regional supply lines, and the current status of Iran's proxy militant activities in Yemen and Iraq. By analyzing Israel's direct strikes against Iran and its allies and the actual effectiveness of Iran's ballistic missile program, the report reveals the weakening trend of Iran's regional influence.

In the area of the nuclear program, the report provides a detailed retrospective on the implementation and termination of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It focuses on assessing the expansion of Iran's nuclear activities in 2024—including enriched uranium production capacity, obstruction of international inspections, and the intensification of public discussions within Iran about nuclear weapons development. It clarifies the U.S. intelligence community's latest judgment on Iran's nuclear breakout timeline.

Regarding U.S.-Iran relations, the report traces the history of confrontation since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. It analyzes the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" policy, the Biden administration's diplomatic outreach and continuation of sanctions, and the policy implications of key events such as the 2023 prisoner exchange and the transfer of $6 billion in assets. Simultaneously, the report elaborates on Iran's strategic coordination with Russia and China, as well as Iran's relations with Middle Eastern countries, covering both détente and ongoing rivalry.

Based on comprehensive geopolitical data, military dynamics assessments, and policy document analysis, the report ultimately provides the U.S. Congress with a policy consideration framework. This framework encompasses multiple options such as strengthening sanctions on Iran, supporting regional allies, nuclear deterrence strategies, and diplomatic engagement. It serves as an authoritative reference for understanding Iran's strategic situation and the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations at the end of 2024.