“’Everything the Trump administration has done has escalated the situation,’” tracing it back to President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.”
“In 2001, Parsi moved to the United States and became the development director of the American Iranian Council (AIC), an anti-sanction and pro-Iran advocacy organization that had been founded by its president, Hooshang Amirahmadi, in 1997. AIC was funded by U.S. oil companies, which were apparently eager to do business in Iran. It also received backing from the Iranian regime. In several interviews, Amirahmadi called AIC Iran’s “prominent lobby in the U.S. that strives to defend the interests of Iran and oppose the pro-Israeli lobby AIPAC.” (Interviews with government press in Iran are here and here.)
Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Parsi begun consultations to create NIAC. Several emails by Parsi discovered in subsequent legal actions illuminate the function and the strategy of the new organization as at least an advocate for the Iranian regime. In one of the emails, Parsi indicated that Tehran-based Baquer Namazi was instructing him”.
“Analyst: ‘Everything the Trump administration has done has escalated Iran situation,'” The Hill, January 3, 2020:
Iran analyst Trita Parsi reacted to the U.S. airstrike that resulted in the death of one of Iran’s most powerful generals during an interview with Hill.TV on Friday.
Parisi argued that “everything the Trump administration has done has escalated the situation,” tracing it back to President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.
Under the Obama-era deal, Iran had agreed to curtail its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
“The moment when it all started is when Trump pulled out of this, so if we’re actually looking for deterrence we know how that would work,” Parisi said. “It would mean proper diplomacy, trying to figure out how you can find some sort of a way of coexisting with elements that you may not like in any way, shape or form.”
Parsi is executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a think tank with a focus on shifting U.S. foreign policy away “from endless war and toward vigorous diplomacy in the pursuit of international peace.”
His comments come as lawmakers on Capitol Hill still reel from the news surrounding a targeted U.S. strike in Iraq that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani among others. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said a day after the attack that the action was not authorized and Congress was not consulted on the decision.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, has described the U.S. drone attack at Baghdad International Airport as a “defensive action,” but Parsi pushed back against this notion in his interview with Hill.TV….
shoehorn says
Oh well then, *grounds for impeachment*.
Infidel says
Too bad they impeached before even this happened. Are they now gonna add this to their articles of impeachment?
gravenimage says
Given that most of Trump’s “crimes” appear to be his being less than enthusiastic about being impeached, I imagine they will find a way.
After all, the calls for impeachment came before President Trump even took office.
Philis O'Shaughnessy says
Okay we give them more money, remove sanctions, breastfeed the muslim as the profit taught.
Walter Sieruk says
Those Democrats who accuse President Trump of “escalating’ the situation with Iran are only by their own words exposing what ignorant politicians they actually are.
For Soleimani was a very dangerous man. Therefore it was necessary that he was eliminated.
mortimer says
Complete agreement with WS.
mortimer says
Have these clever analysts not observed that Iran has been ‘ESCALATING’ the situation since the mullahs took over in 1979???
They are actively trying to start WWIII so the HIDDEN IMAM can reappear and fight the final battle for the conquest of the earth by Islam.
The Shi’ites are bonkers. Anyone who helps them is helping start WWIII.
Lightship Chaplain says
I quite agree with you, yet today’s “so called” analysts are oblivious to the facts you’ve presented in my estimation. This issue, like everything else we see nowadays must fit into the “liibtard narrative – or world view” before they pay it any attestation!
This is tragic for a nation who once liberated the world. The extremist commitment to live a die for Islam, unfortunately seems stronger than our political will to use the vast strength we have been given to confront this type of evil.
The question with any enemy is; how far are you willing to go in defeating him, or do you just temporarily appease him, as you haven’t the will to fight?
Lightship Chaplain says
Why don’t the do nothing appeasement party of Democrats, just stick their heads in the sand and keep them there! This effeminate lovey dovey “nesting spirit” has no place in the real world, and I have watched it take place in appeasing the enemy since the Vietnam war!
Jean Terry says
Is there anywhere George Soros is not? To think that one man with all his money is doing everything he can to actually take down America. Can’t he be charged with a crime of some kind? We have too many people in this country now who take the side of the enemy over the country.
Ray Jarman says
Jean Terry,
Excellent question and I questioned lawyers while I worked at DoS and none had a reason why his citizenship has not been repealed. He has admitted that he helped the NATZIs during its occupation of Hungary which is surely grounds for making him persona non grata in the US and possibly for crimes during the occupation by the Hungarian government.
It is amazing that he is permitted to live in the UK after his 1992 attempt to bankrupt it by his attempt to destroy the Pound Sterling and at the same time the English bars Robert Spencer and other speakers of the truth from entering the UK.
Jim says
The Democrats are cowards, and that’s why they are blaming Trump. A coward is always afraid of angering the bully. Trump is hitting back, the only appropriate response to a bully.
Roland says
Christine, thank you for the extensive documentation in this article. I am disturbed by the role of Soros, the Kochs, and the oil companies in funding the Iran lobby. Now we know some of the sources of anti-Israel propaganda funding in the United States.
DHazard says
Islam has a goal that Muslims have been marching towards since Muhammad decided to invent a religion.
Iran’s supreme unelected council wants to ensure Shiites are on top at the Islamic “end-time”. Nothing will change their mind about that, or alter the course of their weapons development. The Muslim apocalypse is all about the extermination of all non-Muslims, especially the Jews. The only thing that changes is the pace at which they prepare for the appearance of the Muslim God Man – Imam Mahdi who will ensure that Muhammad’s revenge fantasy for being ignored and laughed at 1400 years ago will finally come to fruition.
ntesdorf says
Exactly how do you ‘escalate’ something that has already reached eleven on a scale that goes up to ten?
James Lincoln says
BEFORE the U.S. airstrike that killed the leader of the Iranian regime’s elite Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, Iranians loyal to the regime shouted:
“Death to America!”
AFTER the U.S. airstrike that killed the leader of the Iranian regime’s elite Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, Iranians loyal to the regime shouted:
“Death to America!”
If we hadn’t killed him, they would STILL hate us…
Wellington says
Yes indeed, James. So, do what’s right, ignore the experts who usually get things wrong, and stand strong for freedom. All of which Trump has been doing.
Stupid world out there. Many times over. And this is why Trump being in the right office at the right time is so reassuring.
N.B., All Trump haters will miss this but then if you are a Trump hater this serves as ipso facto evidence that you miss a great deal. The fool, Robert De Niro, comes to mind here as a “fine example” of such foolhardiness.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
Absolutely 100% true.
You’re absolutely correct about Robert De Niro. He is:
A very talented actor.
Likely has an above average IQ.
Very wealthy.
Very wrong about Pres. Trump – and the rest of his leftist politics are “off the rails”.
That being said…
I just finished watching “The Irishman” with my wife the other night live-streamed on Netflix. It features Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Ray Romano. It was well put together and De Niro, in all fairness, played a good role. While watching it, I tried to separate out De Niro the actor from De Niro the US citizen. If one is able to check their politics at the door, it’s a good movie. I can understand, however, that some are not able to do this – and I respect that. After all, it’s just entertainment.
Getting a little philosophical, but for me personally, I interface, work with, and care for many different kinds of people covering a broad range of political thought. This includes members of my own family and personal friends. I’m not particularly contentious by nature and I try to keep things politically neutral – if at all possible. But when PUSHED, I will tell the TRUTH about how I feel.
Best wishes to you and yours – and enjoy your evening!
Wellington says
“I’m not particularly contentious by nature….”
It’s a blessing that you are that way, James. Unfortunately, I am not blessed in this respect. Indeed, argument, sometimes to my chagrin, is a blood sport for me by nature. Just made that way I guess. Too old to change now—or so I tell myself.
TimothyS says
I’m always embarrassed when I admit that I paid money to people who despise me, but that was an enjoyable movie.
No one here looks to hollywood to find truth, so that’s not a criticism. Just an off topic note: I read this “Irishman” may well have exaggerated his involvement in those crimes in the twilight of his life.
Arcadia P says
Well you are making DeNero a stronger anti American by watching the movie. Is the movie more important to you than our soldiers? Robert De Nero has no respect for his own country or countrymen. How did you separate yourself out by paying and supporting this guy? You can’ t defeat Hollywood by supporting their hate. Are you for or against Trump?
gravenimage says
+1
WPM says
They(all the leaders of Iran) have been shouting death to America for 41 years (remember the Carter years). I do not care if they hate us ,but only force will make them respect us .Trump has shown that we will not let them bully us ,appeasement does not work on bullies .
JMB says
They may be shouting “Death to America”, in the meantime most of them probably wish they could move to America – the promised land.
Insook koh says
Can agree more with you.
Jack Holan says
Yes of course its President Trump again.
NO!
Who does Iran claim to be at war? Big Satan USA and Little Satan Israel since 1979 and reaffirmed every time the Mullahs speak. Who seek an ICBM to reach the Us with a-nuclear warhead? Who seeks a large submarine fleet that can reach the USA and lay in wait to launch a nuclear barrage? Who was seeking a Naval Base in Venezuela so they could be near Big Satan to fight their Clandestine Jihad
Who lies and continues to try to enrich Uranium for the Bomb?
No its not Trump Dems its the terrorists in Iran and those who aid abet them at home!
gravenimage says
+1
gravenimage says
Iran “expert” Trita Parsi and Democrats blame Trump for “escalating the situation” with Iran
…………….
I’ve been seeing this sort of tripe for the past two days–murdering Americans, fine; fighting back, warmongering. Just grotesque.
Here’s Trita Parsi from some time ago saying that acknowledging Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorist is an act of enmity:
“Trump’s Iran terrorist designation is designed to lock in endless enmity”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/12/trump-iran-us-terror-designation-revolutionary-guards-latest
No problem with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard itself, of course–very much like the situation here. Jihad terror is fine; it is only any move to defend against it that is warlike. This is how Islam itself sees it.
Wellington says
Excellent comment as usual, gravenimage. You know, if there is any group I am more tired of than intellectuals I don’t know who that group might be unless it be those in the entertainment industry—like De Niro, McGowan, Carrey, Madonna, etc. All of which only proves that intellect or talent is not enough. You must also have accurate knowledge, common sense and moral intelligence.
Arcadia P says
Wellington hope you are well. Yes it is disgusting how much hatred and bigotry exists in Hollywood. I guess when you have a person like Hillary who declared half America as deplorable and you support that then a De Nero is what you get.
TimothyS says
The most plausible argument for disengagement from the middle east entirely is that it is intractable. It’s a hard premise to refute, even if the conclusion is wrong. But if permitted, they will grow in the threat they pose, Islamists will obtain more nuclear weapons in more countries.
The trouble is that things can be made worse, such as aiding the Islamic groups fighting Syrians. That backfired and did not move any positive strategic goal, except helping the flood of Hijra into Europe.
Iran is not the sole enemy. Other states are hugely dangerous. Every one of those Islamist “allies” will stab us in the back if the time is opportune.
I don’t have to decide how to respond to violence in the Muslim regions. Thank god for that. Unfortunately, those “regions” are developing in neighbourhoods near me…
Valkyrie Ziege says
; Donald Trump wasn’t president during the hostage crisis, escalating gas prices, 11 September 2001 attacks, and other such attacks before 2016, so there is that little fact.
As usual, Muhammadanism doesn’t take responsibility for their actions.