Legislative Outlook: Irresponsible Votes This Week on Iran Bills
We are deeply concerned by the legislative theater planned by the Republican Majority concerning U.S. policy toward Iran. This weekend, we saw the consequences of reckless militarism in the Middle East when Iran launched a massive volley of drones and missiles against Israel to retaliate for Israel’s April 1 bombing of its diplomatic compound in […]
U.S. Ban on Travel to Iran Pushed by Iran Hawks on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC – As we have warned, legislation has now been introduced pushing for a U.S. ban on travel to Iran. The legislation is being promoted by Jason Brodsky, the Policy Director for the hawkish pro-Israel group “United Against Nuclear Iran” and who was also involved in establishing the Saudi-backed “Iran International”. The bill has […]
Senate Rejects Amendments to Open Door to War with Iran in AUMF Debate
After the years of tragedy and disaster that followed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Senate voted to repeal the 2002 authorization to use force against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. NIAC has urged that the decades-old authorization be repealed to prevent it from being abused as a blank check for presidents to justify U.S. military action on Iran without any public debate or approval from Congress.
Memo: The Mahsa Act H.R.589
The MAHSA Act requires the President to determine whether the office of the Supreme Leader and the office of Iran’s President should be designated under existing sanctions authorities. Both the current Supreme Leader and President are already designated under one such authority, so in practical terms this bill would not lead to any increased sanctions. […]
Memo: The Pro-MEK Resolution H.Res. 100
A sizable portion of the House of Representatives has already cosponsored H.Res. 100, a resolution recently introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA). This fact has angered many Iranian Americans across political stripes, as the resolution is viewed as endorsement of a group – the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) – that is widely reviled for fighting alongside Saddam […]
Statement Supporting SFRC Chairman’s Call to Ease Hurdles for Iranians Seeking Safety
NIAC applauds a letter from Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to the Biden administration urging they significantly ease the process for Iranians to come to the United States amid the Iranian government’s brutal crackdown on its citizens. Menendez’s recommendation suggests adopting a form of “humanitarian parole” for Iranians, which would grant eligible individuals temporary admission to the United States without a formal visa.
Can Congress Condemn Iran’s Brutal Crackdown?
It is the final legislative week of the year and Congress has yet to formally take action to condemn Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters, which has now entered its fourth month.
NIAC & NIAC Action Academies
Learn more about our Academies, an initiative to build political power among young Iranian Americans.
What We Can Learn From Obama’s Cultural Diplomacy
From proposed religious litmus tests for Muslim immigrants to unrelenting efforts to kill the Iran deal and thwart trade and academic exchange, this election has left many in the Iranian-American community feeling alienated. Rhetoric has only intensified fear of Muslims and immigrants and policymaking has only made escape from the mire of identity politics more […]
New Report Details Massive Disparity in Middle East Arms Race
An August 2016 report on Iran’s military capabilities in comparison with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) offers a straightforward take away: “the Arab countries are decisively winning this arms race.” The report, issued by the Center For Strategic & International Studies’ Anthony Cordesman, flies in the face of the all too common narrative that Iran […]
Capitalize on the Iran Deal, Double Down on Diplomacy
At a recent House hearing on the Iran nuclear deal, the 30th since the accord was struck, Admiral William Fallon offered an important perspective that has been largely missing from much of the recent debate. “The suspension of sanctions will increase economic activity and personal travel in the region, boosting interaction with the Iranian population, […]
Administration Seeks Support for Iran Deal in Contentious Hearing
With only seven weeks left until the September 17th deadline for Congress to vote to approve or reject the Iran deal, it is increasingly looking like a deal will rest on the support of a handful of key Democrats. Last week, in a contentious hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that stretched into a […]