This report discusses issues regarding Iran's political history and structure. It also takes a look at economic and defense policy responses for Congress.

This report discusses current issues regarding the government and politics of Iran. Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, a priority of U.S. policy has been to reduce the perceived threat posed by Iran to a broad range of U.S. interests, including the security of the Persian Gulf region. In 2014, a common adversary emerged in the form of the Islamic State organization, reducing gaps in U.S. and Iranian regional interests, although the two countries have somewhat differing approaches over how to try to defeat the group.