Staff Reports
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are in an uproar after discovering the shocking ties between the Biden administration and an Iranian influence operation. It appears that Ariane Tabatabai, the Chief of Staff for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, has a suspiciously close relationship with the Iranian regime. This revelation, brought to light by Townhall and Semafor, has raised serious concerns among conservative Republicans who are now demanding answers.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Mike Rogers, and Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee Chairman, Jack Bergman, wasted no time expressing their deep concern with the Department of Defense’s decision to hire Tabatabai. In a blistering letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, they pointed out the alarming fact that Tabatabai’s past employment history and connections to the Iranian regime should disqualify her from holding such a sensitive position within the U.S. Department of Defense.
It’s common knowledge that Iran is a clear adversary of the United States and the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. So, it is only logical that someone with close ties to such an adversarial regime should never be entrusted with influencing U.S. policy or having access to sensitive information. This should be common sense, a no-brainer. But apparently, the Biden administration needs it spelled out for them.
The lawmakers emphasized that the office in which Tabatabai works is responsible for overseeing operations and programs aimed at countering Iran’s malign activities worldwide. It is inconceivable that someone who aligns themselves with Iran would be involved in efforts to counter them. It’s like hiring a fox to guard the henhouse – it just doesn’t make any sense.
In their letter, Rogers and Bergman demanded answers from Secretary Austin and the Department of Defense. They requested information regarding Tabatabai’s employment history, security clearance, and whether she underwent the proper vetting process. Furthermore, they inquired about any instances where she may have communicated with the Iranian regime and if the Department was aware of her participation in Iranian government-sponsored influence networks.
The lawmakers rightly questioned the qualifications that led to Tabatabai’s hiring. Was she a political appointee, a highly qualified expert, or simply a run-of-the-mill GS employee? Considering her connections to Iran, it is essential to understand why she was deemed suitable for such a sensitive role.
It’s evident that the Biden administration continues to make questionable decisions that jeopardize the national security of the United States. Hiring someone with close ties to an adversarial nation like Iran should not even be up for consideration. It’s time for the Biden administration to start putting America first and stop cozying up to our enemies. The safety and security of American citizens should always be the top priority, regardless of political agendas.
