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The allegations that NIAC works for the Islamic Republic are based in conspiracy theories amongst a frustrated diaspora. There has been no charges brought forward from the legal system indicating an investigation, the 2020 call from Republican senators has had no updates of anything credible.
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The '''National Iranian American Council''' ('''NIAC'''; {{lang-fa|شورای ملی ایرانیان آمریکا}}) is a [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] based in [[Washington, D.C.]] The NIAC Action is its political action committee and was formed in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission and Vision |url=/proxy/https://www.niacouncil.org/mission-and-vision/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=NIAC |language=en-US}}</ref> The organization has been described as lobbying for stances on behalf of, or aligned with, the [[Mullahs]] who lead [[Iran|the Islamic Republic]].<ref name="elilake" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="gerstein">{{cite news |author=Josh Gerstein |date=13 September 2012 |title=Iranian-American group, leader lose libel case against writer |url=/proxy/http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2012/09/iranianamerican-group-leader-lose-libel-case-135502.html |access-date=13 September 2012 |newspaper=Politico}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Susannah |date=2023-05-24 |title=Did the Voice of America Cave to Iran's 'Lobby'? |url=/proxy/https://www.meforum.org/64452/did-the-voice-of-america-cave-to-iran-lobby |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Middle East Forum |language=en}}</ref>
The '''National Iranian American Council''' ('''NIAC'''; {{lang-fa|شورای ملی ایرانیان آمریکا}}) is a [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] based in [[Washington, D.C.]] with the stated mission of "strengthening the voice of Iranian Americans and promoting greater understanding between the American and Iranian people". [[Trita Parsi]], 2010 recipient of the [[Grawemeyer Award]] for Ideas Improving World Order, was the organization's founder and former president. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission and Vision |url=/proxy/https://www.niacouncil.org/mission-and-vision/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=NIAC |language=en-US}}</ref>


In 2015, NIAC Action was formed and serves as the organization's connected [[Political action committee|Political Action Committee]]. Numerous [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] plague the organization, with accusations it's pro-[[diplomacy]] stance stems from connections with the [[Government of Iran|Iranian Government]]. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-03 |title=Diaspora Blues: Why the Iranian Diaspora in the United States Disappoints Me |url=/proxy/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/iranian-americans_b_2219651 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Petti |first=Matthew |title="Iran Lobby" conspiracy theories turn into defamation lawsuits |url=/proxy/https://www.pettimatthew.com/p/iran-lobby-conspiracy-theories-turn |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=www.pettimatthew.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salzmann |first=Karl |date=2023-09-27 |title=Ted Cruz Alleges 'Vast Iranian Influence Operation That Goes to the Very Top' of the Biden Admin |url=/proxy/https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/ted-cruz-alleges-vast-iranian-influence-operation-that-goes-to-the-very-top-of-the-biden-admin/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Washington Free Beacon |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[Trita Parsi]] was one of the founders and is the organization's former president. Its president is now Jamal Abdi.<ref name="Important Announcement on NIAC’s Next Chapter">{{cite web |url=/proxy/https://www.niacouncil.org/important-announcement-niacs-next-chapter/ |author=Trita Parsi |title=Important Announcement on NIAC's Next Chapter |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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In 2007, Arizona-based Iranian-American journalist Hassan Daioleslam began publicly asserting that NIAC was lobbying on behalf of the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]]. In response, Parsi sued him for defamation.
In 2007, Arizona-based Iranian-American journalist Hassan Daioleslam began publicly asserting that NIAC was lobbying on behalf of the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]]. In response, Parsi sued him for defamation.


In September 2012, U.S. Federal District Court Judge [[John D. Bates]] threw out the libel suit NIAC and Parsi had filed against Daioleslam for publicly accusing NIAC of lobbying for the Islamic Republic.<ref name="gerstein" /><ref name="Court">{{cite web |date=2015-03-05 |title=UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |url=/proxy/https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2008cv0705-189 |archive-url=/proxy/https://web.archive.org/web/20181207145157/https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2008cv0705-189 |archive-date=7 December 2018 |access-date=2019-12-17 |publisher=uscourts.gov}}</ref> NIAC was ordered to pay a portion of Daioleslam's legal expenses.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 April 2013 |title=Sanctioning Iran's American Allies: NIAC ordered to pay nearly $200K in legal fees |url=/proxy/http://freebeacon.com/sanctioning-irans-american-allies/ |newspaper=Washington Free Beacon}}</ref> As part of his decision, Judge Bates concluded that NIAC's president work was "not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime." The judge came to the conclusion that it is reasonable to rationally assert that NIAC is lobbying on behalf of the [[Iranian government]].<ref name="BusinessInsider">{{Cite news |date=2015-03-05 |title=America's most prominent group advocating engagement with Iran was hit with a rough court decision |url=/proxy/https://www.businessinsider.com/americas-most-prominent-group-advocating-engagement-with-iran-was-hit-with-a-rough-court-decision-2015-3 |access-date=2019-12-17 |work=BusinessInsider.com}}</ref><ref name="Court" />
In September 2012, U.S. Federal District Court Judge [[John D. Bates]] threw out the libel suit NIAC and Parsi had filed against Daioleslam for publicly accusing NIAC of lobbying for the Islamic Republic.<ref name="gerstein">{{cite news |author=Josh Gerstein |date=13 September 2012 |title=Iranian-American group, leader lose libel case against writer |url=/proxy/http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2012/09/iranianamerican-group-leader-lose-libel-case-135502.html |access-date=13 September 2012 |newspaper=Politico}}</ref><ref name="Court">{{cite web |date=2015-03-05 |title=UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |url=/proxy/https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2008cv0705-189 |archive-url=/proxy/https://web.archive.org/web/20181207145157/https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2008cv0705-189 |archive-date=7 December 2018 |access-date=2019-12-17 |publisher=uscourts.gov}}</ref> NIAC was ordered to pay a portion of Daioleslam's legal expenses.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 April 2013 |title=Sanctioning Iran's American Allies: NIAC ordered to pay nearly $200K in legal fees |url=/proxy/http://freebeacon.com/sanctioning-irans-american-allies/ |newspaper=Washington Free Beacon}}</ref> As part of his decision, Judge Bates concluded that NIAC's president work was "not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime." The judge came to the conclusion that it is reasonable to rationally assert that NIAC is lobbying on behalf of the [[Iranian government]].<ref name="BusinessInsider">{{Cite news |date=2015-03-05 |title=America's most prominent group advocating engagement with Iran was hit with a rough court decision |url=/proxy/https://www.businessinsider.com/americas-most-prominent-group-advocating-engagement-with-iran-was-hit-with-a-rough-court-decision-2015-3 |access-date=2019-12-17 |work=BusinessInsider.com}}</ref><ref name="Court" />


As a result of the lawsuit, many internal documents were released, which former ''[[Washington Times]]'' correspondent [[Eli Lake]] stated "raise questions" about whether the organization had violated U.S. lobbying regulations.<ref name="elilake">{{cite news |title=Iran advocacy group said to skirt lobby rules |author=Eli Lake |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=13 November 2009 |url=/proxy/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/13/exclusive-did-iranian-advocacy-group-violate-laws//print/ }}</ref> [[Andrew Sullivan]] responded to the story in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', suggesting the motive of the story was to "smear" Parsi's reputation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Sullivan |title='Send It To Lake Right Away!' |magazine=[[The Daily Dish]] |publisher=[[Atlantic Media]] |date=November 16, 2009 |url=/proxy/https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2009/11/-send-it-to-lake-right-away/193982/ |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref>
As a result of the lawsuit, many internal documents were released, which former ''[[Washington Times]]'' correspondent [[Eli Lake]] stated "raise questions" about whether the organization had violated U.S. lobbying regulations.<ref name="elilake">{{cite news |title=Iran advocacy group said to skirt lobby rules |author=Eli Lake |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=13 November 2009 |url=/proxy/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/13/exclusive-did-iranian-advocacy-group-violate-laws//print/ }}</ref> [[Andrew Sullivan]] responded to the story in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', suggesting the motive of the story was to "smear" Parsi's reputation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Sullivan |title='Send It To Lake Right Away!' |magazine=[[The Daily Dish]] |publisher=[[Atlantic Media]] |date=November 16, 2009 |url=/proxy/https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2009/11/-send-it-to-lake-right-away/193982/ |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:26, 17 January 2024

National Iranian American Council
MottoCommunity. Democracy. Universal Rights.
Founder(s)Trita Parsi, Babak Talebi, Farzin Illich
EstablishedJanuary 2002 (2002-01)
PresidentJamal Abdi
Location
Washington
,
DC
,
United States
Websitewww.niacouncil.org

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC; Persian: شورای ملی ایرانیان آمریکا) is a NGO based in Washington, D.C. with the stated mission of "strengthening the voice of Iranian Americans and promoting greater understanding between the American and Iranian people". Trita Parsi, 2010 recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order, was the organization's founder and former president. [1]

In 2015, NIAC Action was formed and serves as the organization's connected Political Action Committee. Numerous conspiracy theories plague the organization, with accusations it's pro-diplomacy stance stems from connections with the Iranian Government. [2][3][4]

History

NIAC was founded in 2002 by Trita Parsi, Babak Talebi, and Farzin Illich to promote Iranian-American relations.[5] Three years before that, Parsi co-authored a paper named "Iran-Americans: The bridge between two nations" which explained need of an organization like NIAC.[6]

Obama administration: lobbying for the regime and defamation lawsuit

In 2007, Arizona-based Iranian-American journalist Hassan Daioleslam began publicly asserting that NIAC was lobbying on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In response, Parsi sued him for defamation.

In September 2012, U.S. Federal District Court Judge John D. Bates threw out the libel suit NIAC and Parsi had filed against Daioleslam for publicly accusing NIAC of lobbying for the Islamic Republic.[7][8] NIAC was ordered to pay a portion of Daioleslam's legal expenses.[9] As part of his decision, Judge Bates concluded that NIAC's president work was "not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime." The judge came to the conclusion that it is reasonable to rationally assert that NIAC is lobbying on behalf of the Iranian government.[10][8]

As a result of the lawsuit, many internal documents were released, which former Washington Times correspondent Eli Lake stated "raise questions" about whether the organization had violated U.S. lobbying regulations.[11] Andrew Sullivan responded to the story in The Atlantic, suggesting the motive of the story was to "smear" Parsi's reputation.[12]

A March 2015 column by Eli Lake in Bloomberg View asserted that the emails showed cooperation between Parsi and the then Iran ambassador to the United Nations and current Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.[13] NIAC's webpage confirms “that Parsi developed a relationship with Zarif after interviewing him on “numerous occasions for his book.” It states that Parsi made introductions for members of the U.S. Congress to meet with Zarif at the request of the lawmakers.[14] According to The Washington Time's article, "Law enforcement experts who reviewed some of the documents, which were made available to The Times by the defendant in the suit, say e-mails between Mr. Parsi and Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations at the time, Javad Zarif - and an internal review of the Lobbying Disclosure Act - offer evidence that the group has operated as an undeclared lobby and may be guilty of violating tax laws, the Foreign Agents Registration Act and lobbying disclosure laws."[15]

During the Obama administration, NIAC reached the height of its influence as it advocated in support of the Iran nuclear deal. The Congressional publication, The Hill, cited NIAC's work in support of the Iran nuclear accord as one of the "Top lobbying victories of 2015."[16]

Trump administration: protests

A placard in a Iran solidarity protests in Berlin on 22 October 2022 has written "NIAC IS NOT OUR VOICE" on it.

In July 2019, NIAC was the target of sustained protests from members of the Iranian community with demonstrations in front of the NIAC office in Washington DC. They viewed NIAC as "the representative of the corrupt and brutal Islamic Republic regime" and not the voice of the Iranian-Americans.[17]

Iranians who were protesting for regime change believe that NIAC has not joined the Women, Life, Freedom Movement and is still looking for a way to reform by trying to reestablish the JCPOA deal.[18]

Biden administration: Senators call for investigation

In January 2020, senators Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz and Mike Braun claimed that NIAC and its sister organization NIAC Action have violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and they are "amplifying regime propaganda in the United States". They requested the US Attorney-General William Barr to "evaluate whether an investigation of NIAC is warranted for potential FARA violations and to ensure transparency regarding foreign attempts to influence the US political process."[19][20][21]

Policy Positions

War and Diplomacy

NIAC advocates against war with Iran and advocated extensively in support of the Iran nuclear deal. The Congressional publication, The Hill, cited NIAC's work in support of the Iran nuclear accord as one of the "Top lobbying victories of 2015".[22] Shortly, before the conclusion of the Iran nuclear deal, NIAC urged members of Congress to support the Schakowsky-Doggett-Price House letter, the strongest Congressional statement of support for diplomacy with Iran on record. The letter was signed by 150 Members of Congress, and signaled to the Obama administration enough Democrats would support a diplomatic agreement with Iran to block a veto override of any legislative attempts to undo the agreement. The organization also supported an earlier letter supporting diplomacy, the Dent-Price letter, which was signed by 131 Representatives. The Dent-Price letter advocated for giving negotiations with Iran on the nuclear issue a chance after the election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Human Rights

During the Iranian Green Movement, NIAC urged President Obama to condemn the Iranian government’s crackdown on peaceful demonstrators after the disputed election. As the violent crackdown escalated, NIAC put out a statement arguing “the only plausible way to end the violence is for new elections to be held with independent monitors ensuring its fairness”.[23]

The organization supported the Stand with the Iranian People Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN), which included proposals for targeted measures against individual Iranian government officials responsible for human right abuses. In 2011, NIAC successfully advocated for the re-establishment a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran to investigate rights abuses.[24]

Sanctions on Iran

NIAC has a generally negative view of broad economic sanctions, opposing many proposals to sanction Iran and urging the repeal of certain aspects of sanctions it calls counterproductive.[25] The organization led campaigns to lift sanctions that blocked humanitarian organizations from providing disaster relief to Iranians, and helped remove sanctions on online communication tools like Facebook and YouTube.[26]

A NIAC report concluded that U.S. sanctions on Iran cost the U.S. economy between $135 billion and $175 billion in lost export revenue between 1995 and 2012.[27] After the Iran nuclear deal was implemented and U.S. secondary sanctions on Iran were eased, the organization questioned the utility of the broad economic embargo the U.S. maintains on trade with Iran.[28]

Lobbying for Iranian Students in the U.S.

NIAC apparently has worked on behalf of Iranian students in the U.S. NIAC led the campaign to change the U.S.'s single-entry visa policy towards Iranian students, by allowing Iranian students to receive multiple entry visas to facilitate their travel to the country, a measure that the Obama administration adopted in 2011.[29]

Efforts to save ancient Persian artifacts

NIAC opposed efforts to confiscate ancient Persian artifacts from the University of Chicago, the Chicago Field Museum, Harvard University, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of court cases filed against the Iranian government.[30]

Policy conference

Since 2011, NIAC has held an annual Leadership Conference that "aims to expose its attendees to world-class leaders, and to teach Iranian Americans how to gain the political strength needed to effect real change on the issues". The conference in 2015 included addresses from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), as well as Representatives Donna Edwards (D-MD) and Dan Kildee (D-MI).[31]

Recognized members

Negar Mortazavi is a former employee of NIAC.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mission and Vision". NIAC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Diaspora Blues: Why the Iranian Diaspora in the United States Disappoints Me". HuffPost. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  3. ^ Petti, Matthew. ""Iran Lobby" conspiracy theories turn into defamation lawsuits". www.pettimatthew.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  4. ^ Salzmann, Karl (27 September 2023). "Ted Cruz Alleges 'Vast Iranian Influence Operation That Goes to the Very Top' of the Biden Admin". Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ NIAC Staff. "Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  6. ^ Namazi, Siamak; Parsi, Trita (1999). "Iran-Americans: The bridge between two nations" (PDF). DAPIA Conference.
  7. ^ Josh Gerstein (13 September 2012). "Iranian-American group, leader lose libel case against writer". Politico. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  8. ^ a b "UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA". uscourts.gov. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Sanctioning Iran's American Allies: NIAC ordered to pay nearly $200K in legal fees". Washington Free Beacon. 22 April 2013.
  10. ^ "America's most prominent group advocating engagement with Iran was hit with a rough court decision". BusinessInsider.com. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  11. ^ Eli Lake (13 November 2009). "Iran advocacy group said to skirt lobby rules". The Washington Times.
  12. ^ Sullivan, Andrew (16 November 2009). "'Send It To Lake Right Away!'". The Daily Dish. Atlantic Media. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Iran's Charmer in Chief Wins Again". Bloomberg.com. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Myths vs. Facts, Continued - NIAC". 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  15. ^ https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "EXCLUSIVE: Iran advocacy group said to skirt lobby rules". The Washington Times. Retrieved 19 October 2022. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  16. ^ Dickson, Rebecca (16 December 2015). "Top lobbying victories of 2015. Because of the negligence that NIAC caused,Islamic Republic has access to 60% enriched uranium. Considering the history of this government's support of terrorist groups, the risk of making an atomic bomb by this regime with the support of NIAC is very high". The Hill. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  17. ^ Radio Farda. "Protest Gathering Held Outside National Iranian American Council". Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  18. ^ Toosi, Nahal (19 November 2022). "Iranian diaspora's divisions burst into open during Halifax forum". Politico. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  19. ^ Jerusalem Post. "Senators call to investigate pro-Iran group - report". Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  20. ^ BBC. "سه سناتور خواستار تحقیق درباره گروه ایرانی آمریکایی نایاک شدند". BBC News فارسی. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  21. ^ Deutsche Welle. "نامه سه سناتور به دادگستری آمریکا برای بررسی پرونده "نایاک"". Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  22. ^ Wilson, Megan R. (16 December 2015). "Top lobbying victories of 2015". The Hill. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  23. ^ "NIAC Welcomes Obama's Strong Condemnation of Violence by Iran's Government". NIAC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  24. ^ "NIAC Welcomes Appointment of New Iran Human Rights Rapporteur". NIAC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  25. ^ Gladstone, Rick (11 September 2013). "U.S. Eases Sanctions to Allow Good-Will Exchanges With Iran". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  26. ^ Nissenbaum, Dion; Sparshott, Jeffrey (30 May 2013). "U.S. Eases Tech Exports to Help Iranian Dissenters". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  27. ^ Tharoor, Ishaan (1 December 2021). "Sanctions on Iran cost the U.S. as much as $175 billion, study says". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  28. ^ "It's pointless to be the last country sanctioning Iran - The Washington Post". web.archive.org. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  29. ^ "U.S. Eases Visa Policy for Iranian Students – The Ticker - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education". www.chronicle.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  30. ^ "Terror victims seeking Persian relics in court". NBC News. 22 February 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Lawmakers Address 2015 NIAC Leadership Conference". NIAC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  32. ^ NIAC Welcomes New Media and Communications Staff | NIAC
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