GOP Senators urge Pentagon to revoke security clearance of official tied to Iranian government group.
Republican Senators Call for Immediate Revocation of Pentagon Official’s Security Clearance
A coalition of Republican senators has demanded that the Pentagon revoke the security clearance of a senior official accused of being part of a secret Iranian government-run propaganda network. In a letter to the Department of Defense, the senators launched an investigation into the matter and called for swift action.
The Senate Armed Services Committee, comprised of Republican lawmakers, has initiated an official probe into the Biden administration’s hiring of Ariane Tabatabai, a senior Pentagon official with top-secret security clearance. Tabatabai was recently exposed as an alleged member of an Iranian-run influence network, which operated under the guidance of Tehran’s foreign ministry and aimed to promote Iranian policies among Washington policymakers.
The letter, exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, is endorsed by 30 Republican senators, including Roger Wicker, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. This investigation is the most high-profile one to date, following a similar probe launched by the House Armed Services Committee earlier in the week.
The senators are demanding the immediate suspension of Tabatabai’s security clearance pending further review, drawing attention to the State Department’s previous suspension of her former supervisor, Robert Malley, for mishandling classified information. They express their outrage that a senior Department official would continue to hold a sensitive position despite her alleged involvement in an Iranian government information operation.
The Semafor report, which exposed Tabatabai’s alleged membership in the propaganda network, also implicated “influential overseas academics” who collaborated with Iran’s foreign ministry to promote Tehran’s talking points among American policymakers. The report, based on a cache of Iranian government documents, revealed that several analysts, including Tabatabai, had close ties to Malley both inside and outside of government.
The Pentagon initially defended Tabatabai, stating that she had been properly vetted before her employment. However, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Chris Maier’s testimony before Congress seemed to contradict this statement, indicating that the Pentagon is actively investigating whether all protocols were followed during Tabatabai’s security clearance process.
The senators argue that the Pentagon’s rush to defend Tabatabai suggests a potential cover-up of a significant security lapse, rather than prioritizing national security. They emphasize that concerns about Tabatabai are not new, as lawmakers had previously requested a review of her ability to obtain a security clearance due to her history of promoting Iranian government talking points.
The latest revelations about Tabatabai’s close relations with the hardline government in Tehran, including direct communications with senior Iranian officials, indicate that her involvement with the Iranian regime may have been more extensive than previously believed. The senators demand detailed information from the Pentagon regarding the review of Tabatabai’s background and whether officials were aware of her contacts with Iranian regime officials prior to the recent Semafor report.
The senators also seek clarification on whether Tabatabai underwent additional counterintelligence screening, including a polygraph investigation, during her security clearance process. They request any information that could shed light on whether Tabatabai omitted details about her connections with the Iranian government when completing security forms for her Pentagon position.
Why do the senators believe that promoting Iranian propaganda within the United States is a direct threat to national security and undermines American interests in the Middle East
Ted with her. These academics are believed to have ties to the Iranian regime and have used their positions to advance Iranian interests in the United States. The coalition of Republican senators request that the Department of Defense investigate these academics as well and determine if any action needs to be taken against them.
In their letter, the senators express deep concern over the potential national security implications of having a senior Pentagon official with ties to an Iranian propaganda network. They argue that such connections compromise the integrity and credibility of the United States government and its defense institutions. Additionally, they raise questions about the Biden administration’s vetting process for hiring officials with security clearances and call for a review of the procedures to ensure that individuals with potential ties to foreign influence networks are not given access to classified information.
The senators contend that promoting Iranian propaganda within the United States is a direct threat to national security and undermines American interests in the Middle East. They argue that allowing Tabatabai to maintain her security clearance sends the wrong message to both domestic and international audiences that the United States tolerates or is even complicit in foreign interference in its democratic processes.
The call for the revocation of Tabatabai’s security clearance comes at a time when tensions between the United States and Iran are already high. The senators emphasize the need for a strong and unified response to such threats, and they urge the Department of Defense to take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of the United States.
As the investigation proceeds, the senators remain committed to holding the Biden administration accountable for its personnel decisions and ensuring that government agencies are free from foreign influence. They believe that the revocation of Tabatabai’s security clearance would serve as a decisive step in upholding the integrity of the American defense establishment and safeguarding national security interests.
In conclusion, Republican senators are demanding the immediate revocation of Ariane Tabatabai’s security clearance based on allegations of her involvement in an Iranian government-run propaganda network. They argue that such connections pose a significant risk to national security and call for a thorough investigation into the matter. The senators emphasize the need to protect the integrity of the United States government and its defense institutions from foreign influence and underscore the importance of a strong and unified response to threats from Iran.
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