Ariane Tabatabai
Ariane Tabatabai (Persian أرین تباطبایی, born in Täbris) is an Iranian-US-American political scientist, author and senior political advisor at the Pentagon.[1] She has been advocating for the Islamic fascist Republic of Iran, for long. Dubbed Iran spy.[2]
After Tabatabai was appointed to her position by Biden in the US State Department, she was the target of accusations on social media.[3]. These accusations about Tabatabai, that were later substantiated first appeared on Twitter, accusing her of surrendering to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Washington Free Beacon and Saudi media, were the first to report on these accusations.
In September 2023, a large cache of Iranian government correspondence and emails reported for the first time by Semafor and Iran International connected Ariane with the Iran Experts Initiative, an effort initiated by senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials to bolster Tehran's image and positions on global security issues, particularly its nuclear program. She regularly met with high ranking Iranian officials and often asked for their guidance in shaping U.S. foreign policy toward Iran. These meetings even included vows of allegiance to the Iranian government.[4]
Iran International stated that its report was a revelation and a surprise to the Pentagon.[5]
In addition, there has been a call for a review of her security clearance by Senator Marsha Blackburn.[6]
In October 2023, after an internal review, she retained her top-secret security clearance, as confirmed by Rheanne E. Wirkkala, an Assistant Secretary of Defense, in a letter dated October 13 to Senator Joni Ernst.
In October 2024, as a senior Pentagon staffer with access to highly classified secrets, it was alleged that she was the (dangerous[7]) leaker of the classified documents dealing with the Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran,[8] after Iran had attacked Israel with some 180 missiles amidst its proxy wars on Israel more intensely since beginning with Oct 7 War.
Hours after it was reported being Ariane, the Pentagon denied it.[9] "To my knowledge, this official is not a subject of interest," said Press Secretary of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.
Days later, to add insult to injury, or/and to prove some "point," "the Biden-Harris administration has promoted the senior Pentagon employee who was outed as a member of an Iranian government-run influence operation."[10] Meantime, "Biden-Harris Admin was sued for stonewalling Iminvestigation Into Iran-Tied Pentagon official." The lawsuit 'should shine useful light' on role that 'pro-Iranian apologists' have played in admin,: official said.[11]
See also
References
- ↑ Ariane Tabatabai; Wilson Center.
- ↑ Mary Kay Linge, Top Iranian Pentagon aide keeps security clearance despite ‘spying for Tehran’ accusation. NY Post, Oct. 20, 2023
- ↑ Biden appointees of Arab and Muslim heritage face bigoted comments and attacks The National, Feb 25, 2021
- ↑ Brandon Gillespie, Lawmaker demands answers after Biden official implicated in Iranian influence scheme: 'Unbelievable!'. Fox News, September 28, 2023
A recent media report said Pentagon employee Dr. Ariane Tabatabai was tied to an Iranian government program.
- ↑ [1] "شوک و خشم در واشینگتن پس از افشای عملیات نفوذ ایران در گزارش ایراناینترنشنال". ایران اینترنشنال (in Persian).
- ↑ Blackburn To DoD: Senior Official’s Iranian Ties Are Dangerous. Oct 2, 2023
- ↑ Deadly Serious Breach': Classified US Docs on Israel Reach Iranian News Entity, Signaling Jewish State 'Can't Trust Washington'. Free Beacon, Oct 20, 2024
- ↑ Lior Ben Ari, 'Iranian American leaked Iran strike plans'. Ynet, 10.22.24.
Sky News Arabic identifies Ariane Tabatabai, senior Pentagon staffer with access to highly classified secrets.
A senior staffer in the office of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was identified as the leaker of the classified documents dealing with the Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran, Sky News Arabic reported on Tuesday, quoting a senior Pentagon Source.
The suspected staffer was identified as Ariane Tabatabai, an Iranian American who works as the Bureau Chief to Austin's aid for special operations and was authorized to have access to very secret information. - ↑ Hannah Sarisohn, Pentagon denies employee of Iranian origin leaked Israel's strike intel. JPost, October 22, 2024
- ↑ Adam Kredo, Biden-Harris admin promotes Pentagon employee tied to Iranian influence network, Washington Free Beacon, October 24, 2024.
The Biden-Harris administration has promoted the senior Pentagon employee who was outed as a member of an Iranian government-run influence operation, Politico reported.
Ariane Tabatabai is now a deputy assistant secretary of defense within Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s office, where she will lead its force education and training division. Tabatabai, according to Politico, was offered the promotion last month. She previously served as chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict.
Tabatabai became a public commodity after a 2023 Semafor report outed her as a member of an Iranian government propaganda group known as the Iran Experts Initiative. The affiliation saw Tabatabai report back to Iran’s foreign ministry and communicate with senior officials in the hardline regime.
Tabatabai’s promotion comes at a curious time for the Biden-Harris administration. Over the weekend, classified U.S. intelligence on Israel’s military preparations for a strike on Iran leaked in a “deadly serious breach,” which the administration is investigating. While the leaker has not been publicly identified, the situation has raised concerns about a host of Biden-Harris administration officials, including Tabatabai... - ↑ Adam Kredo, Biden-Harris Admin Sued for Stonewalling Investigation Into Iran-Tied Pentagon Official, Free Beacon, October 25, 2024
