At the request of Congress, the U.S. government should investigate allegations that an undisclosed Iranian propaganda campaign is being conducted on American soil.
New Mexico Republican Rep. Yvette Haral and eight of her colleagues have sent a letter to the Justice Department asking that it expel any Americans and take legal action against anyone who secretly pays parrots to Tehran’s line to influence the Biden administration’s policy and American public opinion. Theocratic rule.
“Iran is one of the biggest threats to the United States in this area. It is important that we ensure that they are not misusing their money to influence politicians and concerned leaders in our government. Used to soften America’s attitude towards Iran.” We fear any influence. ” National security. That’s why my colleagues and I wrote this letter – to protect our national security and hold Iran accountable, “Harrell told Fox News.
Harrell has been warned after a Massachusetts political scientist, Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasabi, was arrested and charged by federal prosecutors in January with acting and plotting as an unregistered Iranian agent. Fides says Afrasabi portrayed himself as an objective Iranian expert in his media interviews and writings, including writing two opinions on Iran for the New York Times, while officials say he actually paid Tehran’s salary to spread the pro-government line. Was on. Fides says they were paid “approximately 5 265,000” by Iran’s mission to the United Nations. He is accused of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FERA).
Harrell and the letter’s co-signatories call on the Biden administration to create a special task force to list “possible violations”, similar to the “FBI Most Wanted”, “to identify Iranian citizens, to identify them and to arrest them.” Is. “Make a list, set up FBI office fees to focus on Iranian influence operations, as well as” to ensure that American taxpayer money is directly or indirectly an Islamic republic. Investigate and oversee government-funded groups, charities and think tanks. Agents and lobbyists. “
“Iran is a civilized regime. They want to influence the political process and politicians to benefit their interests and harm our own interests. The Trump administration held Iran accountable for its actions and took its threats seriously. Our attitude towards Iran The softening is “a threat to our national security,” Harrell said.
Activist Brian E., executive director of Liberty’s Iranian Americans. “We are thrilled to learn of this letter,” Leib said. “His letter sends a strong message that American legislators will not be spared, as Iranian citizens illegally operate on U.S. soil as registered agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
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New York Rep. Co-signed the letter. Lee Zelden, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the House Black-Jewish Caucus, Minnesota Rep. Jim Hagdorn, Oversight, Member of the Investigation and Regulations Subcommittee, and Arkansas Rep. Crack Crawford, a member of the House Permanent Selection Committee on Intelligence.
Leib said the re-engagement in the Iran nuclear deal by the Iranian regime, the easing of sanctions and the US push for Tehran. Biden has stepped up its performance as part of an effort to force the administration to soften policy.
“Their ultimate goal is to neutralize the threat posed by the U.S. through the sowing department, suspicion and resentment,” Lab told Fox News. “The main weapon of the Islamic Republic is terrorism and its favorite tactic is murder. They have made clear and unequivocal threats to Iranian Americans to oppose it. The regime lobby has a long history of character assassination of Iranian Americans who oppose the regime.”
A recent report on the interference in the election of the US National Intelligence Director states that the Iranian regime is engaged in a covert influence campaign to run in the 2020 presidential election, in addition to Russia. The report says Tehran’s goal was to target former President Trump and the U.S. Was to advance its long-term objectives by enlarging departments, creating confusion, and undermining the legitimacy of U.S. elections and institutions.
“We assess that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may have authorized Iran’s influence campaign and that was all the government’s efforts,” the agency said. “Tehran has designed its campaign to influence U.S. policy toward Iran, to divert the attention of U.S. leaders from domestic issues, and to expand messages of sympathy for the Iranian regime.”
Libe said Iran’s message is one that Iranian Americans do not want to hear and should be ignored by US policymakers.
“Americans should understand Iranians inside and outside Iran that they are deeply ill and fed up with the terror-sponsored regime in Iran.” “Americans should know that most Iranian Americans are grateful immigrants who love and cherish the United States and the ideals of freedom and equality under the law, because they had the unfortunate experience of living under the Islamic Republic.”
For his part, Afrasabi has denied the allegations against him. “What I did under UN standards was legal and transparent … and I had no clue that I was violating any US law. I never engaged in any lobbying,” he told Fox News after the arrest.
He also explained that “his advisory role for Iran has covered his international affairs and I have never strayed from the independent call as a policy expert.”
But Lib and his group believe that broader federal efforts will bring out what Iran has really done.
“We are confident of an official investigation. More registered agents of the Islamic regime will be identified. We expect that all steps, from legal action to expulsion, will be taken, and that permanent residence status or citizenship will be adopted.”
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Fox News asked the Iranian mission to the United Nations to respond to the claims of influence operations, but so far we have received no response.
Ben Ivansky of Fox News contributed to this report.
