Panel Recap: The U.S. and Iran After 5 Years of “Maximum Pressure”: Is There Still a Path to Meaningful Change?
The U.S. and Iran After Five Years of ‘Maximum Pressure’: Is There Still a Path to Meaningful Change? “Women (in Iran) have not only gained autonomy of their bodies, but they have also fundamentally challenged the political contract and mobilized student and labor activists and have won the support of intellectuals and political elites,” stated […]
NIAC Letter to the Seattle City Council
Washington, DC – Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council, issued the following letter to the Seattle City Council. [pdf-embedder url=”https://niacouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NIAC-Letter-to-Seattle-Council.pdf” title=”NIAC Letter to Seattle Council”]
NIAC Action Statement on Passage of Amendment on Unauthorized War with Iran
It wasn’t long ago that it was thought too controversial to limit the President’s ability to wage an unauthorized war with Iran. Now, it is fast becoming the norm. Rep. Barbara Lee’s amendment reflects the growing consensus in American politics and among the American people who have twice watched the President lead us to the edge of a new and disastrous war with Iran. Rep. Lee also introduced another amendment that passed through committee, a repeal of the 2001 AUMF, which continues the broader push to restrain the U.S. footprint abroad and put diplomacy first.
NIAC Statement on ICE Threat to Deport Foreign Students
This proposed policy will be arduous for many students, but particularly for Iranians who would be subject to sanctions on the ground in Iran. Current sanctions prohibit colleges and universities from offering online learning to Iranians in many fields.
Panel Recap: A “Maximum Pressure” Exit Strategy
“The Trump administration broke the international consensus around Iran that took years to build,” said Suzanne DiMaggio, senior fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “I think this will go down as an epic strategic blunder during the Trump Era.” DiMaggio was speaking on NIAC’s recent panel examining current and future U.S. policy toward Iran, entitled “A Maximum Pressure Exit Strategy: Can the U.S. Save the Iran Nuclear Deal Before it’s Too Late?” Joining DiMaggio as panelists were Jamal Abdi, President of NIAC, and Joe Cirincione, President of the Ploughshares Fund. Sanam Shantyaei, Senior Journalist at France 24, led the panel as moderator.
Experts Weigh in on Iran ‘Snapback’ Sanctions Going Into Effect Today
National Iranian American Council Warns ‘Snapback’ of Sanctions Will Undermine American International Leadership, Empower Hardliners in Iran
Memo: Consequences of Sanctions Snapback on Iran
Because such U.S. sanctions primarily target foreign parties transacting or otherwise dealing with Iran, the Trump administration will be actively undermining efforts by the international community to act consistent with the JCPOA and ensure its survivability.
NIAC Statement on Recent Demonstrations in Iran
“Ultimately, like any other country, it is up to Iranians living in Iran to decide their country’s destiny. Outside countries or interests who seek to exploit the legitimate grievances of Iranians in order advance their own ulterior agendas only undermine the will of the Iranian people. As outside observers, we will continue our efforts to defend universal human rights rights and hold the Iranian government accountable to its international human rights obligations.”
A New Chapter for NIAC
We have much work to do on our community’s journey to building the political power we are capable of. This transition is a critical moment in that journey – the passage of any organization from its founder to their successor is when a startup becomes an institution.
Congress ‘Not Aware’ of Authorization for Iran War
The statement from the legislators indicating that they are “not aware” of any legislative authorization for Trump to use force against Iran is helpful. As Trump ratchets up tension and openly threatens war with Iran, his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to tie Iran to al-Qaeda and has taken an extremely broad view of Executive war powers under the Constitution.
NIAC Statement on Trump’s Tweet Threatening Iran War
Trump’s crazed, all-caps tweet threatening Iran with war last night underscores the danger of supporting the Trump agenda. Minutes after Secretary Pompeo called on the Iranian-American community to support the administration’s pressure campaign on Iran, Donald Trump proved what escalation with an unhinged President at the helm can lead to: a disastrous war.
Iranian Americans Speak Out Against Pompeo’s Conflict of Choice with Iran
The National Iranian American Council organized a letter from prominent Iranian Americans objecting to the Trump administration’s efforts to destabilize Iran, which was featured in a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times today.