IRPSA Hurts Iranian People, Undermines International Unity on Iran
NIAC released the following statement today in response to yesterday’s news that the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (HR 2194) will be brought up for a floor vote on the suspension calendar within the next two weeks. The National Iranian American Council is deeply concerned that the House of Representatives’ plan to bring H.R. 2194, […]
Make It A Team Effort
A recent AFP article reveals the growing frustration of Russia and China in Iran’s attitude toward compliance with the IAEA. Traditionally dependable allies of Iran, both Russia and China supported the IAEA resolution on Nov. 26 censuring on Iran due for its undisclosed nuclear facility in Qom. This has led some to believe there may […]
Ahmadinejad – Not an Economist
The immediate aftermath of the 2009 Iranian election brought heated debate about whether the election was stolen or not. Six months on, while the general consensus is that it was a questionable vote, the debate has since morphed into a question of whether or not Mahmoud Amadinejad enjoys majority support. Analysts in the past posited […]
California to Divest Iran Investments
The Associated Press is reporting that insurance companies that do business in California are being asked to withdraw any of their finances currently invested in Iran. A probe conducted by California’s Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has revealed that insurance companies in the state have $12 billion invested in Iran. Poizner has said that he is […]
A History of Exchange
As I meandered through the Falnama: The Book of Omens exhibit at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, I was reminded once again of the shared history between Europe and Iran, the East and the West or the Occident and the Orient. However and wherever the dividing lines are drawn, they obscure a history that is […]
Deal or No Deal, Talks Must Continue
The rigmarole surrounding the supposed failure of negotiations with Iran is causing the media and government to lose sight of what is really important: talking with Iran. Talking is, in and of itself, a confidence building measure. It allows for the growth of familiarity between the parties, and, therefore, greater confidence that the other side […]
(Updated) Espionage Charges for American Hikers?
Reuters is reporting that the three Americans who crossed into Iran while hiking in Iraq are being charged with espionage. “The three are charged with espionage. Investigations continue into the three detained Americans in Iran,” Tehran general prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said. The three were held after they strayed into Iran from northern Iraq at […]
The US & Iran: Between Human Rights, Diplomacy & Sanctions
The National Iranian American Council is pleased to announce we will be having a policy conference on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in Dirksen Senate Office Building G-50. The conference will run from 9 AM to 12.30 PM and will feature two panels; the first will assess the human rights and political situation in Iran and […]
Rep. Franks Brings Military Option to the Table
Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) has introduced legislation emphasizing the threat of military strikes against Iran and expanding unilateral, extraterritorial sanctions against Iran. The bill declares “the United States is wholly capable, willing, and ready to use military force to prevent Iran from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapons capability.” Franks’ bill, the “Peace Through Strength […]
The Path to Transparency Runs Through Engagement
“Assembling nuclear weapons is not as easy as building furniture from IKEA,” said Greg Thielmann of the Arms Control Association (ACA) at a press briefing held October 22. The briefing, on the future of Iran-U.S. negotiations, consisted of a panel of three experts, who drew a direct line from U.S. engagement with Iran to greater […]
Opposition Building Against Sanctions Legislation
Rep. Ellison has laid down an important marker the week before the House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to vote on new unilateral sanctions against Iran. He’s against it: Fifteen years of sanctions on Iran have taught us one important lesson: They have not produced the intended results. More sanctions are unlikely to produce results now. […]
Early Warnings Over Enrichment Deal (Updated…)
Reuters is reporting that Iran has turned down the enrichment deal proposed by IAEA chief Mohammad Elbaradei. The deal was proposed this week in Vienna and has been approved already by all of the other countries (U.S., France and Russia) that took part in the negotiations. The report relies on an unnamed member of Iran’s diplomatic […]