Senate Republicans demand Pentagon revoke security clearance of official linked to Iran.
Senate Republicans Demand Revocation of Pentagon Official’s Security Clearance
More than two dozen Senate Republicans are demanding the Pentagon revoke the security clearance of one of its high-ranking officials after it was discovered she possesses close ties to the Iranian government.
“Iran continues to threaten U.S. military personnel in the Middle East and remains intent on assassinating American citizens here in the United States. Given these facts, 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 in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday.
As noted in the letter, the official in question is Ariane Tabatabai, the chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations at the Defense Department, who according to a series of emails released last week by Semafor and Iran International, participated in an initiative sponsored by Iran’s terrorist government. The 2014 effort, known as the Iran Experts Initiative, was crafted by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and aimed at recruiting a bevy of “influential overseas academics and researchers,” who would help “bolster Tehran’s image and positions on global security issues — particularly its nuclear program.”
Three of these recruits, including Tabatabai, went on to work as aides for Robert Malley, President Joe Biden’s lead negotiator on Iran. As The Federalist’s David Harsanyi reported, Malley — who “has a real soft spot for the Islamic State and its allies” — recently had his security clearance revoked and is the subject of a federal investigation over his handling of classified material.
As the Senate Republicans noted, the communications obtained by Semafor and Iran International reportedly show that Tabatabai actively sought guidance from the Iranian Foreign Ministry on how she could bolster Tehran’s public image. The reporting also apparently shows Tabatabai’s willingness to pen propaganda for Iran in U.S. media outlets such as the Boston Globe.
“The latest allegations reported in Semafor … indicate that Ms. Tabatabai may have been engaged in a relationship with the Iranian regime well beyond what even her strongest critics alleged,” the GOP senators wrote. “The fact that the Department initially responded to these latest allegations by rushing a full-throated defense of Ms. Tabatabai, rather than taking the time to ensure that our national security has not been compromised, suggests that you are protecting hiring missteps rather than prioritizing national security.”
In their Friday letter, Senate Republicans urged Austin to revoke Tabatabai’s security clearance pending an investigation into her reported activities. The senators furthermore requested the defense secretary provide answers to a series of questions regarding Tabatabai’s security clearance by Oct. 6.
Author Information
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood.
What evidence is there that suggests Tabatabai continued to collaborate with individuals connected to the Iranian government after being hired by the Defense Department?
Or and Iran International show that Tabatabai continued to collaborate with individuals connected to the Iranian government even after she was hired by the Defense Department. This raises serious concerns about her loyalty and potential for espionage.
The senators argue that allowing Tabatabai to retain her security clearance and sensitive position poses a significant national security risk. They emphasize that Iran has a long history of sponsoring terrorism and conducting information operations against the United States. Given her alleged participation in an Iranian government information operation, they believe it is unacceptable for Tabatabai to continue in her current role.
This is not the first time that concerns have been raised about individuals within the Biden administration with ties to Iran. Robert Malley, who was hired as Biden’s lead negotiator on Iran, is also under investigation for his connections to Iranian conspirators. The fact that three recruits of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s initiative went on to work as Malley’s aides further underscores the need for a thorough examination of potential infiltration by Iranian agents within the U.S. government.
The demand to revoke Tabatabai’s security clearance comes at a critical time when the United States is attempting to negotiate with Iran on a range of issues, including the revival of the Iran nuclear deal. Senate Republicans argue that having individuals with questionable ties to the Iranian government in positions of influence undermines the integrity of these negotiations and potentially compromises U.S. national security interests.
The letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by the Senate Republicans highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive review of all individuals within the Defense Department who may have connections to adversarial foreign governments. It calls for a thorough examination of security clearances and a reassessment of the vetting procedures in place to ensure that individuals with ties to hostile entities are not entrusted with sensitive information and positions of power.
The concerns raised by Senate Republicans raise broader questions about the effectiveness of the current security clearance process and the need for stricter scrutiny of individuals with foreign ties. In an era of increasing global threats and information warfare, it is crucial that the United States remains vigilant in protecting its national security interests.
The demand to revoke Tabatabai’s security clearance is an important step towards safeguarding U.S. national security and sending a clear message that individuals with compromising ties to adversarial governments will not be tolerated in positions of influence within the U.S. government.
It remains to be seen how the Pentagon will respond to this demand from Senate Republicans, but the concerns raised in the letter must be taken seriously. The security of the United States and the integrity of its government institutions depend on robust measures to identify and address potential threats from within.
