An Iranian native and Pentagon aide is reportedly serving to undermine Iran's opposition movement.
Ariane Tabatabai was the focus of a major September report that noted her close ties with Iranian officials.
Pentagon aide part of ‘covert campaign’ to undermine Iran opposition: report https://t.co/ZqSd7fE6Ha pic.twitter.com/JDzLg1kooW
— New York Post (@nypost) November 13, 2023
“By seeking to neutralize favorable impressions of the organization among Washington’s foreign policy elite, Tehran sought to take down an entity capable of aiding Western attempts to curtail the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program, malign regional agenda, human rights abuses, and fundamentalist inclinations,” wrote Ivan Sascha Sheehan, an associate dean of UB’s College of Public Affairs.
“By brazenly targeting the highly effective dissident organization, the operatives hoped to leave US officials with the false impression that there is no viable alternative to the ayatollahs — and certainly not one with a pro-democracy record that remains committed to toppling clerical rule," he added.
Ariane Tabatabai, chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations at the Defense Department has ties to the Iranian government and partook in a “covert campaign” to delegitimize Iran’s leading opposition group.https://t.co/Z8MIJBbCAz pic.twitter.com/6KahY0y5h2
— Dr. Lawrence Sellin (@LawrenceSellin) November 14, 2023
"As The Federalist’s David Harsanyi reported, a series of emails released by Semafor and Iran International in September showed Tabatabai participating in an initiative sponsored by Iran’s terrorist government seeking to boost the regime’s image amongst the global community," the Federalist noted.
"Launched in 2014, the Iran Experts Initiative was crafted by Iran’s foreign ministry and aimed to enhance the public perception of Iran and its nuclear program by recruiting a bevy of 'influential overseas academics and researchers' to do their PR work," it continued.
Instead of serving American interests in her role, Tabatabai pressed against Iran's opposition movement.
The concerning role and her connections with multiple Iranian officials led to a job change but has not ended her efforts.
Tabatabai retains her secret clearance, working with a new group to extend her influence.
The Biden administration has a major problem on its hands that will now require cleanup as the American public discovers the details.
