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 Statement on New General License on Humanitarian Trade with Iran
We applaud the Biden administration’s issuance of a new General License and guidance expanding and clarifying exemptions for humanitarian trade with Iran—including trade in vaccines and testing equipment and financial transactions involving the Central Bank of Iran. This is an important and much needed first step that is long overdue. The people of Iran were one of the first and hardest hit by COVID-19, a situation exacerbated by ideological posturing and mendacity by the Iranian government and U.S. sanctions that made lockdowns and access to vital testing and medical goods far more difficult. Rather than expand U.S. assistance amid this public health disaster, the Trump administration amplified sanctions and continued its campaign to narrow channels for humanitarian trade. As then-candidate Biden indicated last year, the U.S. should help the Iranian people regardless of our differences with the Iranian government.
Who is the Frontrunner in Iran’s Presidential Race?
Iranians will vote for a new president on June 18th after eight years of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. The election occurs in a political context where Iranian conservatives have steadily consolidated power after the U.S. withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, which was Rouhani’s signature achievement. The most hardline forces in Iran are now poised to take total control over all levers of power in Iran and sideline their moderate and reformist rivals.
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.
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.
Iranians Set to Vote Amid Widespread Apathy & Disillusionment
The Iranian election will take place amid many Iranians choosing to boycott the vote. Conservative Ebrahim Raisi is the frontrunner, and moderate Abdolnaser Hemmati’s best hope is to take the election to a runoff. Both candidates have signaled support for the JCPOA. Iran’s chief negotiator at the Vienna talks also says Raisi will support talks to restore the deal.
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.