Urge Congress to Ease Sanctions on Iran Amidst COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, U.S. sanctions have continued to intensify the toll on human lives by restricting Iran's access to humanitarian trade and devastating ordinary Iranians. President Biden's directive ordering a review of the impacts of sanctions on the global pandemic response is a great first step in reversing these disastrous policies. But if we're going to ensure that the administration takes action, we need to show support for efforts to roll back sanctions inhibiting humanitarian trade.
Fortunately, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Jesús G, "Chuy" García, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are leading a letter supporting Biden's decision to initiate this review and encouraging real steps to end the harmful impacts of broad sanctions. But to see success, we need to organize as many Congressional members to sign on as soons as possible to give the Biden Administration the signal of support they need to take action.
📝 Tell your Members of Congress to sign the letter today >
Biden May Only Have Four Weeks To Revive Iran Deal
NIAC President Jamal Abdi for Newsweek
"As with the many crises Joe Biden inherited when he took his oath on the Capitol steps, his predecessor's disastrous policy towards Iran and the resultant nuclear standoff will require swift action at the new administration's onset…
"The new administration has indicated it will seek a return to the Iran nuclear deal… without preconditions—so long as Iran returns to the commitments it has calculatedly abandoned in response to Trump's abdication of the nuclear deal. Ultimately, Biden's team has indicated it aspires for regional negotiations with all the stakeholders, recognizing that all the players must be ready to bargain if there is to be any credible effort to convince Iran to put the core elements of it's security doctrine on the table—ballistic missiles and support for proxy groups.
"Trying to do this all at once would ensure failure, which is exactly why many opponents of negotiations will urge just that. For the adherents of #swagger diplomacy, every challenge with Iran must already be resolved... before any challenge can be resolved. But while there is much to do, thankfully it must not all happen at once. Sequencing will be key."
📌 Read the full article on Newsweek >
Equitable Immigration
The Muslim Ban's Been Repealed. What's Next?
After four long years, Trump’s Muslim ban is no more. President Biden made good on his promise to our community to end the ban on Day One, calling it “just plain wrong.” And he was right. So many members of our community have been separated from their loved ones solely due to Trump’s bigotry. Husbands and wives, grandparents and grandchildren, and so many friends and family have missed weddings, funerals and so many special moments with one another. Those days are almost over.
Unfortunately, the end of the ban is not as simple as the President signing an order — and the ongoing pandemic and various public health-related travel restrictions has created more hurdles to families reuniting. We know our community is eager to once again welcome visits from our loved ones in Iran, which is why we put together a quick briefer about everything you need to know about the Muslim ban's repeal, and how you can help prevent any such ban from again being enacted.
📖 Read our briefer to learn more >
📝 Urge your Representatives to Pass the NO BAN Act >
📌 Read more
Building Political Power
Join Us for a VIP Event with NIAC Action Endorsee Yassamin Ansari!
Thursday, February 11th at 5pm PT/8pm ET
We invite you to join NIAC Action in support of Yassamin Ansari for Phoenix City Council, District 7! NIAC Action is proud to endorse Yassamin’s historic race, but we need your help to get this climate activist and rising political star in the Iranian-American over the finish line. After advancing out of a competitive primary in November, Yassamin is heading to a run-off on March 9, 2021. So don't miss out on this special opportunity to support Yassamin's campaign--hope to see you there!
📌 RSVP today >
🚨 New NIAC Action Endorsement Alert! 🚨
NIAC Action has endorsed
Ramin Fatehi for Commonwealth Attorney in Norfolk, VA. If elected, Ramin will be the second ever Iranian-American elected as district attorney in the country! We know that he will work to advance justice in Norfolk and do right by the Iranian-American community. Interested in helping us elect Ramin? Email
[email protected] to get involved!
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
From Our Staff
Shifting Contours, But the Same Solution: Swiftly Returning to the Iran Deal
Shervin Ghaffari for Just Security
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 >
Biden Team Must Understand Iran to Build on Nuclear Deal
Sina Toossi for The National Interest
"As the Biden administration pursues new negotiations with Iran, it should do so with a keen understanding of Iranian strategic decision-making and what spurs Iranian flexibility and obduracy. The key to any broader deal will be to find areas that address U.S. national security concerns that do not infringe on what Iranian officials regard as vital to their country’s survival.” Read more >
US-Iran Relations After Trump: The Path to Peace is Open
Assal Rad for Turkish Policy Quarterly
“It is within this context that we must understand the international efforts and the desire of the Obama administration to broker a peaceful deal with Iran that addressed concerns over their nuclear program and avoided another costly and destabilizing war in the Middle East. The Iran nuclear deal—officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA—established not only a model for nuclear non-proliferation, but also a standard for global diplomacy by fostering cooperation between some of the toughest adversaries.” Read more>
