This strategic initiative aimed to reinforce the regime’s survival in Tehran, often described as terrorist in nature. The briefing was led by Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield, Jr., former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, and Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan, Associate Dean of the College of Public Affairs at The University of Baltimore. Their primary contribution was the presentation of their groundbreaking report, “IRAN: The Ayatollah’s Hidden Hand.”
The purpose of this Congressional briefing was to dissect Iran’s covert strategies, providing a detailed understanding of its external influence tactics and internal strategies to sustain the current regime.
Congressman Tom McClintock, "Hamas and Hezbollah are proxies for the Iranian regime." pic.twitter.com/jCCkdnchox
— Iran Policy Committee (@IPC_US) November 14, 2023
US Representative Tom McClintock emphasized how the Iranian regime has influenced American public opinion, highlighting its tactics in spreading false narratives and concealing atrocities. He criticized the concessions made by the Obama and Biden administrations to Iran, pointing to the subsequent unrest in cities worldwide and the funding of terror operations by Iran.
McClintock stressed the importance of understanding the regime’s media manipulation, its infiltration into academia, and its influence on governments. He also highlighted the counter-efforts against the Iranian freedom movement, particularly the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
US House Representative Randy Weber also underscored the urgency of addressing the threat from the Iranian regime. He criticized the State Department’s lenient approach towards the regime and advocated for support towards opposition groups like the MEK, emphasizing the evolving geopolitical context and Tehran’s manipulation of opposition tensions to maintain power.
#Texas Congressman @TXRandy14 addresses Congressional Briefing on Iran’s influence operation and calls for a firm US policy towards #Iran. @RepMcCaul pic.twitter.com/TlsFsHw7ab
— OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) November 14, 2023
Ambassador Bloomfield spoke about the Iranian regime’s deceit in fueling global crises, notably in the Middle East. He pointed out the regime’s long history of falsehoods and propaganda, as well as its significant investment in foreign influence, including in Washington, D.C.
Bloomfield questioned the credibility of information from Washington regarding the October 7 attacks and expressed skepticism about the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader’s ignorance of the attack. He also doubted Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian’s claims of unawareness, given his connections with the Quds Force and meetings in Beirut before the attack.
Professor Sheehan discussed an attack on Professor Alejo Vidal-Quadras in Madrid, attributing it to the Iranian regime. Sheehan’s book, “IRAN: The Ayatollah’s Hidden Hand,” reveals the regime’s efforts to suppress pro-democracy opposition and intimidate the United States. He criticized the false dichotomy faced by U.S. officials between military intervention and appeasement-based diplomacy, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of Iranian influence operations.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
