It's Time to Break the Iran Deal Stalemate
While the politics of negotiating with Iran can be fraught and heated, the benefits of a U.S. return to the Iran deal are not in doubt. The outpouring of support for the deal from Congress, Iran analysts, non-proliferation experts, and the pro-diplomacy community shows that the political will exists—but it's up to Biden to seize upon it.
However, both Republican and Democratic Iran hawks in Congress are out to derail the deal. A recent AIPAC-backed letter led by Sens. Lindsey Graham and Robert Menendez urges President Joe Biden to use “the full force of our diplomatic and economic tools" to reach an agreement that will "constrain" Iran. [1] The truth is the letter's backers have little interest in deals or diplomacy.
We've continually warned that such efforts to muddle a pathway back to the Iran deal will only serve to scuttle the path to diplomacy. With so much in flux, one thing remains clear: Biden must keep his campaign process to restore diplomacy, to turn the page on Trump's failed Iran policy, and to take concrete steps in tandem with Iran to restore full compliance with the deal.
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[1] Will Senate Dems join Lindsey Graham's effort to blow up the Iran nuclear deal? – Responsible Statecraft
Building Political Power
Yassamin Ansari WINS Her Election for Phoenix City Council
NIAC Action is proud to extend a well deserved congratulations to Yassamin Ansari for winning her run-off election for Phoenix City Council! Her win makes her the first ever Iranian-American elected to public office in the state of Arizona, and with just days in office she’s already joined initiatives that prioritize government accountability, climate change, and affordable housing. We know that Phoenix is in good hands under Ansari’s leadership.
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Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe “Freed” From House Arrest, But Not Free to Go Home
British-Iranian dual national, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, finally completed a cruel and unjust prison sentence of five years on Sunday, March 7th in Iran and had her ankle bracelet removed, freeing her from house arrest. However, without the return of her passport she is still unable to return to the United Kingdom where her husband and daughter still reside. Her initial accusations of espionage and collaborating to overthrow the government are charges that have become all too familiar for Iranian dual nationals, who are often targeted by Iranian security forces. NIAC condemns the actions of Iranian authorities and calls upon them to adhere to their obligations under international law.
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Community & Culture
NIAC’s Dr. Assal Rad joined Dr. Noura Erakat, Negar Mortazavi, and Dr. Zainab Saleh for an important discussion, hosted by the No Sanctions on Iran grassroots coalition, on the current sanctions on Iran, the impact on ordinary Iranians, and how we can learn from the experience of sanctions and embargoes in the region to help understand Iran's possible trajectories.
🎥 See the entire conversation here >
From Our Staff
President Biden Must Follow the Advice of Candidate Biden on Iran
Assal Rad and Negar Mortazavi for Foreign Policy
The United States is already nearly two months into Joe Biden’s presidency. Yet despite his campaign promise of returning to the Iran nuclear deal, the United States has still not returned to the agreement—also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—former President Donald Trump’s so-called maximum pressure sanctions have remained in place, and tensions with Iran have not de-escalated. Meanwhile, Iranians are soon heading to the polls for presidential elections in June, with the next Iranian president most likely shifting the political direction of the country. If Biden fails to take swift action to return to the JCPOA, this golden window of opportunity to revive diplomacy with Tehran will soon close and the path forward will get much more complicated.
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Middle East Roundup: Israel and Iran Attack Each Other’s Ships & Grandstanding Between US-Iran Continues
The latest roundup looks at reports suggesting that Israel has been attacking Iranian ships since 2019, at the state of U.S.-Iran relations as officials continue to trade escalating barbs over the JCPOA, the status of frozen Iranian funds in South Korean banks, and more.
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Iran Unfiltered: Protests Erupt in Sistan & Baluchestan after Fuel Carriers Killed
Protests have erupted in southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province after reports of fuel carriers being shot and killed at the border with Pakistan. Meanwhile, Iranian officials are considered a proposal for talks with the U.S. and other global powers on a JCPOA return, while hardliners in parliament are in a fury over a recent agreement with the IAEA.
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Upcoming Events
Persian Cooking with Renowned Chef Hoss Zaré
March 18th, 2021 8:00 PM ET
Join us (virtually) for an evening of cooking with renowned Chef Hoss Zaré as he teaches modern techniques you can use for your Persian dishes this Nowruz. Along the way you'll get to learn about Chef Zaré himself and ask him questions, plus learn a Haftseen lesson as well!
Chef Hoss Zaré is the former owner of the famed San Francisco restaurant "Zaré at Fly Trap” and current Executive Chef of Bon Appétit at Google. He has played a role in popularizing Persian cuisine in the Bay Area as he continues to infuse traditional Persian dishes with modern styles.
🎟️ RSVP here >
Norooz 1400: Welcoming the Light of the New Century
March 20th, 2021 3:00 PM ET
Join NIAC Los Angeles and NIAC members nationwide to celebrate Norooz, the Persian New Year! Norooz 1400: Welcoming the Light of the New Century, will be an informational and cultural event to be celebrated by all Iranian Americans across our nation. We will join together to enjoy an explanation of the meaning of Norooz and the Haft Seen, as well as musical performances, poetry, dancing, storytelling, and sharing of Haft Seens from across the country and world. On top of that, our special keynote speaker, Dr. Khodadad Rezakhani of Leiden University, will be discussing the history of Norooz and the meaning of the Haft Seen spread.
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Obstacles to Access: A Conversation on Tech Freedom and Iran
March 26th, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET
Join us for a conversation with policymakers, Internet freedom advocates, and tech industry leaders on the policies and actions the new administration and the tech industry can adopt to ensure the U.S. does not help silence Iranian voices. The panel will feature special remarks from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and a discussion with Mahsa Alimardani from ARTICLE19, Peter Micek of Access Now, Mike Linksvayer from GitHub, and Amir Rashidi from the Miaan Group, moderated by Mana Mostatabi of NIAC.
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NIAC's National Virtual Gala 2021
May 6th, 2021 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET
Join us in celebration for NIAC’s second Virtual Gala this upcoming May. More details, as well as an official invitation, to follow.
🎟️ RSVP here >
