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Advancing Peace & Diplomacy
Academics Against Sanctions
As reports continue to emerge of Iranian students being dropped or deferred by U.S. universities amid new COVID-19 restrictions, dozens of prominent academics have called on the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to reform overly broad sanctions that hamper academic exchange.
For students from Iran and other sanctioned countries, continuing their education remotely is not an option because of U.S. sanctions that prevent them from accessing necessary online services and technology. OFAC should hear the call of this letter’s signatories and take immediate steps to remove sanctions barriers for students seeking to continue their higher education remotely during this unprecedented time.
📌 Read the full text of the letter here >
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From Our Staff
The 2020 Presidential Election Will Decide the Future of U.S.-Iranian Relations
Assal Rad for The National Interest
 For Iranian-Americans this election is especially critical. We have watched in horror while our community has been vilified... From the Muslim Ban that prevents us from seeing our families and questions of dual loyalty at our borders, to the persistent threat of war, and feelings of denigration in an atmosphere of rising xenophobia and hostility, Iranian-Americans, as well as other immigrant communities, have a great many reasons for taking to the polls. Read more >
Joe Biden Will Have to Seize the Moment on the Iran Deal
Ryan Costello for The National Interest
 If Joe Biden secures the presidency, one of the first foreign policy decisions he will face is on Iran. Some observers have argued that Biden should not rush, and that pressure will necessitate Iranian negotiation eventually in the months and years ahead... It is critical that Biden seize that window and follow through on his commitment of a mutual U.S. and Iranian return to the JCPOA, lest he be forced to start new negotiations from scratch or be locked into a failing Trump approach that has led to an expanding Iranian nuclear program and brought America and Iran to the brink of war twice. Read more >
NIAC Responds to Trump's Snapback Farce at the UN General Assembly
 With a track record of failure on Iran, the Trump administration’s spin machine appears to be going into overdrive heading into November. Whether this is mere bluster or portends a potential October surprise remains to be seen but anyone opposed to more reckless wars should be on high alert.
The administration’s claims that it has successfully snapped back UN sanctions on Iran this evening are a farce that defy the international community and a basic comprehension of facts. Having been rejected repeatedly by our erstwhile negotiating partners at the UN Security Council, the Trump administration wants to pretend that UN sanctions are back in place. They seem to have deluded themselves, but the real world will remain unconvinced.
📌 Read the full statetment here >
📰 Read Sina Toossi's analysis on Iran’s response to the “snapback” on The National Interest >
Building Political Power
Get Ready to #BeshkanTheVote!
We've got some big things planned to make sure you'll have everything you need ahead of election day. From requesting an absentee ballot, to finding volunteer opportunities, to helping flip the Senate, protect the House, and defeat Donald Trump -- we've got you covered. Keep an eye out on your inboxes for the big reveal and check-out some resources below to help get you ready for election day!
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
Last week, a group of academics and policymakers called on the Iranian government to release father and son, Baquer and Siamak Namazi, as well as other dual nationals arbitrarily detained and imprisoned in Iran, such as French-Iranian Fariba Adelkhah and British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
As the letter notes:"The use of prisoners as bargaining chips in order to coerce other governments to provide concessions is a cruel policy and strategy that the Islamic Republic has been using, and it has to end. At a time when Iran is in need of the goodwill of the international Iranian diaspora to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges, the continued arbitrary detention of dual nationals seriously undermines the international standing of the country, and has a chilling effect on the return of other Iranian dual nationals."
📌 Read the full text of the letter here >
The Tragedy of Navid Afkari (فارسی)
Last week, shocking news broke of Navid Afkari’s execution, an Iranian wrestling-champion who was only 27 years old, shaking many in our community, the sporting world, and the global community. For Iranians and Iranians of the diaspora alike, yesterday was a day of grief not only for the loss of life of this young man, but the shared pain of ceaseless injustice.
NIAC condemns the execution of Navid Afkari, which was carried out suddenly and in secret, without the knowledge of his family. The Iranian government must adhere to its human rights obligations and take urgent action to address the fundamental inadequacies of a justice system unworthy of the name. True justice is carried out in the open, not shrouded in darkness.
Community & Culture
We Are Many:
A Story of the World's Largest Anti-War Movement
Don’t miss the opportunity to watch British-Iranian filmmaker Amir Amirani’s, We Are Many, which features testimony from Noam Chomsky, Danny Glover, Jesse Jackson, and more. The film tells the story of the biggest anti-war movement in history that led to 30 million people banding together to protest the United States and United Kingdom's plan to invade Iraq. Now more than ever, it is imperative to make our antiwar voices heard and continue the movement towards peace.
Use this special link to watch the virtual premiere of the film now through the end of September, which also features musical performances and a panel discussion with the director, Amir Amirani, and moderated by Stephen Kinzer. And for a limited time, a portion of all proceeds will go to NIAC!
Join NIAC and IABA NorCal on Monday, September 28th at 12pm PST for an event with Congressman Eric Swalwell, to discuss his new book, Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Congressman Swalwell will examine the process of and path to impeachment, and his experience at the forefront of the proceedings.
🎟️ RSVP here >
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