Iranian Influence Network Member Visited Biden White House Five Times

An Alleged ⁣Iranian‌ Government Operative Visited the Biden White House Multiple Times

An alleged ⁢member of‌ a secret Iranian government influence network made several visits to the ⁤Biden White House,⁤ raising concerns about⁤ the administration’s awareness of ‍his involvement. According to visitor logs, Ali Vaez, an Iran analyst with the International Crisis Group, attended high-level meetings with senior U.S. officials. Vaez’s connection to a propaganda ‌network controlled by the Iranian government, which aimed to ‌shape policy and promote Tehran’s talking points in Washington, D.C., was recently exposed by Semafor.

The meetings have sparked questions about whether the Biden administration provided Vaez with insider information on its diplomacy with Iran. Ariane Tabatabai, another alleged member of the Iran Experts Initiative, holds a senior position‍ at the Pentagon and possesses a security clearance.​ Republican lawmakers are‌ now demanding the revocation of her‍ top-secret access.

Vaez, a close associate of U.S.⁢ Iran envoy Robert Malley, had at least five meetings at the White House between 2022 and 2023. These meetings coincided with the Biden administration’s diplomatic⁢ efforts with​ Iran, which resulted in a hostage deal and the release of $6 billion in revenue for the Iranian regime.

It appears that Vaez ​met with White House national security‌ adviser Jake Sullivan and Brett McGurk, ⁣the administration’s coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.‌ Both Sullivan and McGurk played ⁤crucial roles in reopening diplomacy with Iran and negotiating the release of wrongfully imprisoned⁣ Americans.

Questioning the Administration’s Relationship ‌with the Iran Experts Initiative

“The Biden⁣ administration must ​be honest with the American public ⁤regarding its relationship with the Iran Experts Initiative,” said‍ Alireza Nader, a veteran Iran analyst based in Washington, D.C.‍ “Did Sullivan and McGurk⁢ know that Ali Vaez was ‌actively advocating for the Islamic Republic’s interests in Washington, D.C.? ⁣If they⁣ did know, why did they allow the regime’s influence or lobby network to have such immense influence in U.S. foreign policy?”

White House visitor ​logs reveal that Vaez was escorted by Sullivan’s personal assistant, Hazel Castillo, on April 13, 2022. Two​ months later, he visited the West⁣ Wing with Kimberly Lang, another assistant to Sullivan. Vaez also had meetings with McGurk ​on February 3 and 8. In March, he attended a Nowruz holiday event at the White House, celebrating the ⁣Persian New Year.

The White ​House has not responded to inquiries about these meetings​ or ‍whether they are being reviewed in light of Vaez’s alleged involvement in the Iranian-government propaganda network. ‌Vaez himself has not commented on the substance ‌of his discussions with ‌Sullivan and McGurk.

A spokesperson for the International Crisis Group stated that Vaez frequently ⁢meets with government officials as part of ‍his role as an analyst. These meetings often revolve around topics such as the Iranian nuclear program and the ‌regime’s regional policies,⁤ which pose threats to U.S. forces and allies.

The revelation of these meetings is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Biden administration’s‌ close ties to analysts associated with⁣ the Iran Experts ⁤Initiative. Some argue that Vaez’s allegiance to Tehran and his advocacy for Iranian positions in negotiations should have been known by those who read his writings.

Leaked Iranian government emails reviewed by Semafor indicate that Vaez maintained contact with Mostafa ‌Zahrani, the head of a Tehran-based think tank closely aligned with the regime. Vaez allegedly shared his op-eds‍ with Zahrani for review before​ publication, and in ‍at least one instance, his writings were forwarded⁣ to former Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif.

Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department official who worked on the ‌Iran portfolio, believes that the ‍White House meetings demonstrate how Iran’s network of​ influencers ‍successfully pushed⁣ their⁣ priorities at the highest levels of government.​ He criticizes the State Department’s denial of an Iranian influence operation infiltrating the U.S. government, arguing that the visitor ⁣logs⁣ disprove their claim.

Tabatabai, the senior Pentagon official who served under Malley, is also⁤ reported to have communicated directly with Zarif before attending various policy ‍events.

The exposure ⁢of the Iranian influence ⁣network has led ⁢to speculation in ​Congress that the administration has been infiltrated by Tehran-linked ⁣spies. As a result, a group of ​30 senators has launched an‌ investigation ⁣into the Tabatabai matter, calling for her ⁢security clearance to‌ be revoked pending ⁢a thorough ⁢background check.

Questioning the Administration’s Awareness

“We find it simply unconscionable that a senior⁣ Department official would continue to hold a⁤ sensitive position despite her alleged ‌participation ​in an⁢ Iranian government information‌ operation,”‌ the senators ⁣wrote.

Can the White House provide clarification on the nature ⁤of the meetings between Vaez and Tabatabai and any potential sharing of classified or sensitive information

To regional stability. However, ‌the spokesperson did not address​ the specific allegations regarding Vaez’s involvement in ‌the Iranian-government propaganda network.

Critics argue that the Biden administration should exercise greater caution​ and scrutiny when engaging⁣ with⁢ individuals suspected⁣ of having ties to foreign​ governments with adversarial relationships with the United States. Allowing individuals with potential ties ⁢to Iranian government influence networks into the highest echelons of American ⁢policymaking ‌raises concerns about⁢ the ‌level of due diligence conducted by the administration.

Furthermore, the alleged visits by Vaez and Tabatabai highlight the need for⁢ a comprehensive review of security ​clearances granted to individuals with⁤ connections⁢ to foreign ⁣governments. The potential compromise of national ⁣security is a​ critical issue that demands immediate attention and remedial action.

This situation has also led to increased calls for⁢ transparency from ​the Biden administration. Lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, are urging the White House to provide clarification ⁣on the ​nature of the meetings and whether any classified or ⁤sensitive information‌ was shared.

The alleged visits also raise​ questions about ⁢the effectiveness ⁤of current vetting procedures for individuals⁣ who have ‍access to the highest levels⁤ of ⁣government. It is ⁤crucial that the​ administration‍ takes steps to strengthen the screening process⁣ and ensure that⁢ only ⁢individuals with unquestionable loyalty and‍ integrity are granted positions of influence.

In conclusion, the alleged visits​ by an Iranian government⁤ operative to the Biden White House ⁤have⁣ raised serious concerns about the​ administration’s awareness ‌of ⁤his involvement in a propaganda network. The meetings with ​high-ranking officials and the potential access to ​sensitive information warrant a thorough investigation and review⁢ of security clearances. The Biden administration must address these concerns openly and​ transparently to maintain public‌ trust​ and to safeguard national security interests.