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THREAD
1)
@CNN & @MSNBC eagerly provide airtime to #Iran lobbyist @tparsi.
Parsi has very close ties to Iran’s senior officials.
Remember the 2015 nuclear talks?
This thread focuses on Iran’s DC-based lobby group @NIACouncil, founded by Parsi.
Bear with me. This will be long.
1)
@CNN & @MSNBC eagerly provide airtime to #Iran lobbyist @tparsi.
Parsi has very close ties to Iran’s senior officials.
Remember the 2015 nuclear talks?
This thread focuses on Iran’s DC-based lobby group @NIACouncil, founded by Parsi.
Bear with me. This will be long.
2)
“The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) frequently echoes Tehran’s rhetoric in redirecting blame at the U.S. for Iranian aggression and malfeasance.”
This is an excellent look at NIAC provided by @michaeldjohnsjr. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/10/an-iran-lobby-in-america/
“The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) frequently echoes Tehran’s rhetoric in redirecting blame at the U.S. for Iranian aggression and malfeasance.”
This is an excellent look at NIAC provided by @michaeldjohnsjr. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/10/an-iran-lobby-in-america/
3)
NIAC was founded in 2002 by Parsi, an Iranian-born dual citizen of Iran & Sweden, former employee at the Swedish mission to the UN & and a vocal champion of Obama’s controversial Iran nuclear deal.
NIAC was founded in 2002 by Parsi, an Iranian-born dual citizen of Iran & Sweden, former employee at the Swedish mission to the UN & and a vocal champion of Obama’s controversial Iran nuclear deal.
4)
Listen to this Iranian regime insider explain that NIAC was established by @JZarif, the foreign minister of Iran.
Listen to this Iranian regime insider explain that NIAC was established by @JZarif, the foreign minister of Iran.
5)
These photos are telling:
L-Parsi close to Iran’s deputy FM @araghchi during the 2015 nuclear talks with the Obama admin.
R-Parsi with @HassanRouhani’s brother Hossein (right) & nuclear negotiator @TakhtRavanchi (second from right) during the 2015 nuclear talks.
These photos are telling:
L-Parsi close to Iran’s deputy FM @araghchi during the 2015 nuclear talks with the Obama admin.
R-Parsi with @HassanRouhani’s brother Hossein (right) & nuclear negotiator @TakhtRavanchi (second from right) during the 2015 nuclear talks.
6)
Hossein Fereydoon was directly involved in the 2015 nuclear talks, seen here with @JZarif & Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, while walking after an afternoon meeting with @JohnKerry & U.S. officials in Switzerland.
Notice Parsi's avatar.
Hossein Fereydoon was directly involved in the 2015 nuclear talks, seen here with @JZarif & Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, while walking after an afternoon meeting with @JohnKerry & U.S. officials in Switzerland.
Notice Parsi's avatar.
7)
Parsi is the official founder of NIAC in the U.S.
Listen to how Trita Parsi parrots Zarif’s talking points.
Parsi is the official founder of NIAC in the U.S.
Listen to how Trita Parsi parrots Zarif’s talking points.
8)
A court hearing shed light on emails from 2006 between Parsi & Zarif, then Iran’s ambassador to the UN.
Parsi described himself as: “Few analysts in Washington have the access of Dr. Parsi to decision makers in Iran.”
http://www.iraniansforum.com/index.php/factbook/384-parsi-and-zarif.html
Parsi to Zarif—March 16, 2006
A court hearing shed light on emails from 2006 between Parsi & Zarif, then Iran’s ambassador to the UN.
Parsi described himself as: “Few analysts in Washington have the access of Dr. Parsi to decision makers in Iran.”
http://www.iraniansforum.com/index.php/factbook/384-parsi-and-zarif.html
Parsi to Zarif—March 16, 2006
9)
Parsi had direct access to senior Iranian regime officials:
- Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
-Zarif (on several occasions)
-Nahavandian, special advisor to Iran’s National Security advisor
-Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, Zarif’s top assistant
http://www.iraniansforum.com/index.php/factbook/384-parsi-and-zarif.html
Parsi had direct access to senior Iranian regime officials:
- Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
-Zarif (on several occasions)
-Nahavandian, special advisor to Iran’s National Security advisor
-Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, Zarif’s top assistant
http://www.iraniansforum.com/index.php/factbook/384-parsi-and-zarif.html
10)
March 29, 2006—Parsi specifically asks Zarif what he thinks about various issues & seeks the opinions of Zarif, and/or his seniors in Tehran, in order to approve certain actions. Parsi clearly had close access to Zarif & others in the regime’s UN mission.
March 29, 2006—Parsi specifically asks Zarif what he thinks about various issues & seeks the opinions of Zarif, and/or his seniors in Tehran, in order to approve certain actions. Parsi clearly had close access to Zarif & others in the regime’s UN mission.
11)
March 30, 2006—Zarif seeks another meeting with Parsi to clarify his answers. In this email Zarif shares sensitive information with Parsi, further indicating the latter’s very close relations with senior Iranian regime hierarchy.
March 30, 2006—Zarif seeks another meeting with Parsi to clarify his answers. In this email Zarif shares sensitive information with Parsi, further indicating the latter’s very close relations with senior Iranian regime hierarchy.
12)
May 12, 2006—After meeting with Zarif, Parsi launched the “Iran negotiation project.”
In his bio Parsi praised himself as: “Few analysts in Washington have the access of Dr. Parsi to decision makers in Iran.”
May 12, 2006—After meeting with Zarif, Parsi launched the “Iran negotiation project.”
In his bio Parsi praised himself as: “Few analysts in Washington have the access of Dr. Parsi to decision makers in Iran.”
13)
May 19, 2006—After launching the “Iran negotiation project” Parsi reports his activities to Zarif and seeks a meeting and goes further into saying: “I would like to hold some preliminary talks with you.”
May 19, 2006—After launching the “Iran negotiation project” Parsi reports his activities to Zarif and seeks a meeting and goes further into saying: “I would like to hold some preliminary talks with you.”
14)
August 23, 2006—Zarif visits the U.S. along with a secret “proposal”. Parsi asks for “a chance to see the proposal or to understand more what it entails. If substantial, then certainly Members of Congress will find it a reasonable offer, even if the White House doesn’t.”
August 23, 2006—Zarif visits the U.S. along with a secret “proposal”. Parsi asks for “a chance to see the proposal or to understand more what it entails. If substantial, then certainly Members of Congress will find it a reasonable offer, even if the White House doesn’t.”
15)
September 28, 2006—Parsi informs Zarif about what he is hearing in Washington, along with a press report, about the possible rejection of John Bolton’s nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
September 28, 2006—Parsi informs Zarif about what he is hearing in Washington, along with a press report, about the possible rejection of John Bolton’s nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
16)
October 25, 2006—Parsi arranges meetings between Zarif and Members of Congress who oppose former U.S. President George Bush’s strong policy against the Iranian regime.
October 25, 2006—Parsi arranges meetings between Zarif and Members of Congress who oppose former U.S. President George Bush’s strong policy against the Iranian regime.
17)
October 26, 2006—Zarif expresses his gratitude to Parsi by saying, “I am always open to these meetings. Your help is always welcome. I leave the modalities to your discretion.”
October 26, 2006—Zarif expresses his gratitude to Parsi by saying, “I am always open to these meetings. Your help is always welcome. I leave the modalities to your discretion.”
18)
February 16, 2007—Parsi sends an email to Zarif requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal from two Members of Congress who seek connection with Iranian MPs. Parsi asks for Zarif’s assistance.
February 16, 2007—Parsi sends an email to Zarif requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal from two Members of Congress who seek connection with Iranian MPs. Parsi asks for Zarif’s assistance.
19)
June 14, 2007—Email from Parsi to Gholamhossein Mohammadnia seeking a meeting with him and Zarif to “follow up on previous discussions.”
Mohammadnia was a senior deputy of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence & Security.
https://bit.ly/2JoeuKG
June 14, 2007—Email from Parsi to Gholamhossein Mohammadnia seeking a meeting with him and Zarif to “follow up on previous discussions.”
Mohammadnia was a senior deputy of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence & Security.
https://bit.ly/2JoeuKG
20)
Mohammadnia went on to become the regime’s ambassador to Albania in 2016.
He was subsequently expelled from Albania for his role in plotting terrorist attacks against the Iranian opposition MEK stationed in that country.
https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ncri-statements/expulsion-from-albania-of-the-mullahs-ambassador-and-intelligence-ministry-station-chief-is-a-necessary-step-in-countering-terrorism-and-the-religious-dictatorship-ruling-iran/
Mohammadnia went on to become the regime’s ambassador to Albania in 2016.
He was subsequently expelled from Albania for his role in plotting terrorist attacks against the Iranian opposition MEK stationed in that country.
https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ncri-statements/expulsion-from-albania-of-the-mullahs-ambassador-and-intelligence-ministry-station-chief-is-a-necessary-step-in-countering-terrorism-and-the-religious-dictatorship-ruling-iran/
21)
July 17, 2007—NIAC meets with head of the Iranian regime’s interests in Washington, DC
Email from Iranian regime official Mohammadi to Babak Talebi of NIAC.
Mohammadi wrote this email on behalf of Rahmani, head of the interest branch.
July 17, 2007—NIAC meets with head of the Iranian regime’s interests in Washington, DC
Email from Iranian regime official Mohammadi to Babak Talebi of NIAC.
Mohammadi wrote this email on behalf of Rahmani, head of the interest branch.
22)
Parsi & NIAC have long opposed any sanctions & designations by the U.S. against Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
In 2007, Parsi wrote “Terror Label for Guard Corp Entrenches US-Iran Enmity,” originally on NIAC’s website then taken down.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2007/08/politics-terror-label-for-guard-corp-entrenches-us-iran-enmity/
Parsi & NIAC have long opposed any sanctions & designations by the U.S. against Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
In 2007, Parsi wrote “Terror Label for Guard Corp Entrenches US-Iran Enmity,” originally on NIAC’s website then taken down.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2007/08/politics-terror-label-for-guard-corp-entrenches-us-iran-enmity/
23)
NIAC continued pushing this policy in 2017 as reports began circulating of the Trump admin possibly designating the IRGC.
“Don’t Label the IRGC,” originally on Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2017-03-10/dont-label-irgc
Syndicated on the same day on NIAC’s website
https://www.niacouncil.org/news/dont-label-irgc/
NIAC continued pushing this policy in 2017 as reports began circulating of the Trump admin possibly designating the IRGC.
“Don’t Label the IRGC,” originally on Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2017-03-10/dont-label-irgc
Syndicated on the same day on NIAC’s website
https://www.niacouncil.org/news/dont-label-irgc/
24)
Parsi was regularly active in arranging meetings between U.S. politicians & Iranian regime envoys during Ahmadinejad’s presidency.
http://www.iraniansforum.com/index.php/factbook/387-meeting-with-an.html
Dec 19 & 26, 2007—Parsi says individuals being groomed for this meeting need to be “acceptable for NIAC and Tehran.”
Parsi was regularly active in arranging meetings between U.S. politicians & Iranian regime envoys during Ahmadinejad’s presidency.
http://www.iraniansforum.com/index.php/factbook/387-meeting-with-an.html
Dec 19 & 26, 2007—Parsi says individuals being groomed for this meeting need to be “acceptable for NIAC and Tehran.”
25)
December 2, 2010—Parsi testified in court about his participation in secret meetings with Ahmadinejad’s envoys.
Parsi also testified he met with Hashemi Samareh, Ahmadinejad’s deputy, in two of the three meetings that Parsi attended.
December 2, 2010—Parsi testified in court about his participation in secret meetings with Ahmadinejad’s envoys.
Parsi also testified he met with Hashemi Samareh, Ahmadinejad’s deputy, in two of the three meetings that Parsi attended.
26)
Parsi testifying he also met with Ambassador Soltanieh, who was the Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency at the time.
August 17, 2008—Emails exchanged between Parsi & Soltanieh.
Parsi testifying he also met with Ambassador Soltanieh, who was the Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency at the time.
August 17, 2008—Emails exchanged between Parsi & Soltanieh.
27)
September 17, 2008—NIAC invites Members of Congress to meet with Ahmadinejad’s deputy in New York.
September 17, 2008—NIAC invites Members of Congress to meet with Ahmadinejad’s deputy in New York.
28)
November 25, 2008—NIAC Legislative Director Emily Blout invites Members of Congress to participate in a secret meeting with Ahmadinejad’s delegation led by Hashemi Samareh in Vienna scheduled for December 2008.
November 25, 2008—NIAC Legislative Director Emily Blout invites Members of Congress to participate in a secret meeting with Ahmadinejad’s delegation led by Hashemi Samareh in Vienna scheduled for December 2008.
29)
December 3, 2008—Follow up email from NIAC inviting Members of Congress to meet with Ahmadinejad’s delegation.
December 3, 2008—Follow up email from NIAC inviting Members of Congress to meet with Ahmadinejad’s delegation.
30)
January 30, 2009: Revealed: Recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks involved key officials (UPDATED)
https://foreignpolicy.com/2009/01/30/revealed-recent-u-s-iran-nuclear-talks-involved-key-officials-updated
January 30, 2009: Revealed: Recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks involved key officials (UPDATED)
https://foreignpolicy.com/2009/01/30/revealed-recent-u-s-iran-nuclear-talks-involved-key-officials-updated
31)
April 22, 2009—Parsi’s email to Puneet Talwar requesting a meeting at the White House to brief him on a secret meeting between Iranians and Americans in Amsterdam on April 19, 2009, and another meeting between Iranians and the Israelis.
April 22, 2009—Parsi’s email to Puneet Talwar requesting a meeting at the White House to brief him on a secret meeting between Iranians and Americans in Amsterdam on April 19, 2009, and another meeting between Iranians and the Israelis.
32)
Puneet Talwar served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs from 2014 to November 2015.
Talwar served as a top Middle East advisor to Barack Obama and played a central role in the backchannel diplomacy that produced the Iran nuclear deal.
Puneet Talwar served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs from 2014 to November 2015.
Talwar served as a top Middle East advisor to Barack Obama and played a central role in the backchannel diplomacy that produced the Iran nuclear deal.
33)
February 6, 2011: Published by WikiLeaks on the Pugwash meetings
February 6, 2011: Published by WikiLeaks on the Pugwash meetings
34)
The Obama admin was in bed with Iran’s regime & its lobby group NIAC, based on emails by the U.S. State Dept.
“I have chatted with NIAC folks over the years”
“we do have a relationship with NIAC”
NIAC sought the Obama admin’s advice on paying President Clinton for a speech.
The Obama admin was in bed with Iran’s regime & its lobby group NIAC, based on emails by the U.S. State Dept.
“I have chatted with NIAC folks over the years”
“we do have a relationship with NIAC”
NIAC sought the Obama admin’s advice on paying President Clinton for a speech.
35)
For those interested in learning more about #Iran's meddling in the U.S., especially through their lobby group NIAC, please read this thread. https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1331936545943810050?s=20
For those interested in learning more about #Iran's meddling in the U.S., especially through their lobby group NIAC, please read this thread. https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1331936545943810050?s=20
