Areas of Work
From being the trusted voice on U.S.- Iran relations, to pushing forth legislation that protects individuals of Iranian heritage from systematic discrimination, to celebrating our cultural heritage, NIAC creates a lasting impact in the lives of the members of our community.
Peace & Diplomacy
Advancing Peace & Diplomacy
An empowered Iranian-American community can advance policies that build precedent-setting infrastructures that incentivize peace and diplomacy, not only between the U.S. and Iran, but across the global stage. Read more ›
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Equitable Immigration
Advocating for Equitable Immigration
Ensuring that Iranians have the same opportunities as other nationals to make the U.S. their home can only make our country greater. Read more ›
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Civil Rights
Protecting Civil Rights
America’s founders enshrined the inalienable rights of all people in our Constitution and Americans have fought for generations to secure and protect those rights. Read more ›
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Human Rights
Spotlighting Human Rights
Raising up the struggles faced by Iranian human rights defenders and holding the Iranian government to international human rights standards is essential to building a future in which the U.S. and Iran enjoy positive relations. NIAC consistently condemns human rights violations by Iran’s government and calls for all prisoners of conscience to be released. Read more ›
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Community & Culture
Celebrating Community & Culture
NIAC takes immense pride in the rich tapestry that makes up the Iranian-American community and culture. Our heritage provides us common ground to grow as a community as we trailblaze in the U.S. Read more ›
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Political Power
Building Political Power
NIAC works to build political power so that Iranian Americans and our allies have influence on the decisions made by our government and can advance our values through civic and political engagement. Read more ›
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Support Our Work
Your contribution to NIAC helps support our work to champion priorities of the Iranian-American community.
NIAC is funded by the Iranian-American community and prominent American foundations. NIAC does not receive funds from the United States government nor from the Iranian government.
Contributions made to NIAC are 100% tax-deductible. Contributions made to NIAC Action are not tax-deductible.
Press Room
NIAC Signs Representative AOC’s Resolution Disapproving Arms Sales to Israel
NIAC Action joined Jewish Voice for Peace, Win Without War, MoveOn and over 100 other organizations to support U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s resolution to block a planned 735 million-dollar sale of weapons to Israel. At an extraordinary time of heightened violence and disproportionate civilian deaths of Palestinians, we believe it is more vital than ever for the American people to ensure our government is working to peacefully resolve tensions rather than exacerbating or turning a blind eye to the crisis.
RSVP for NIAC’s Panel on “Iran After the Rouhani Presidency: Debriefing the June 18th Election”
Join NIAC and our featured panelists as we explore key questions arising from the election results, discuss whether Iran’s next President will change the country’s foreign and domestic policies, and what the prospects are for continued engagement with the West.
#IranElection2021: The Players, Issues, and Impacts
Iran’s presidential election is fast approaching on June 18th. The Guardian Council, a governmental body composed of 12 clerics and jurists, has disqualified all but 7 out of the 592 candidates who registered to run. Out of these, the leading candidate is conservative Ebrahim Raisi, who lost to moderate President Hassan Rouhani in the 2017 election but has since taken the post of Judiciary chief. The disqualifications of all the prominent reformist and moderate candidates gives Raisi a far easier path to winning the presidency and has fed speculation that he is being groomed to be the next supreme leader.
Iranian Political Prisoner Sasan Niknafs Dies in Custody
Less than four months after the tragic death of Iranian prisoner of conscience Behnam Mahjoubi, another political prisoner has died in the custody of Iranian prison authorities from maltreatment and lack of access to proper medical treatment. Like Mahjoubi, who suffered from a serious panic disorder that required daily medication, Sasan Niknafs needed suitable medical attention for his serious health issues, including epilepsy, diabetes, and depression.
French Citizen Charged with Spying in Iran
Thirty-five-year-old French citizen, Benjamin Brière, was arrested in Iran in May of 2020 for allegedly flying a drone and taking photos in a restricted area near an Iranian border. Brière is now facing charges of espionage and “propaganda against the system” in an Iranian court.
Candidates Spar in Presidential Debates
Iran’s presidential campaign is in full swing and the candidates have sparred in two televised debates. President Rouhani has derided the conservative candidates for scapegoating his administration and not talking about U.S. sanctions. Meanwhile, a bill in parliament seeks to further restrict internet access and the Vienna JCPOA talks are due to restart this Saturday.
Rouhani Officials Still Upbeat on a JCPOA Agreement
The latest round of Vienna talks on restoring the JCPOA ended without a deal but Rouhani and his senior officials are still upbeat about resolving remaining differences. Meanwhile, the approved presidential candidates are campaigning, but the main moderate candidate is facing limitations. Khamenei has also done a reversal on his view on the Guardian Council’s disqualifications.