GOP lawmakers probe Harris’ national security adviser over Iranian connections on August 1st, Thursday.
Congressional Republicans have initiated an investigation into Kamala Harris’ national security adviser, Philip Gordon. He’s being investigated for allegedly “blatantly promoting the Iranian regime’s perspective and interests.” And maintaining “connections” to an Iranian influence operation. This operation has already implicated a suspended State Department official and three of his aides.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) have taken the lead in this probe, addressing a letter to the vice president on Wednesday. The letter demands answers regarding Gordon’s involvement with individuals linked to the Iranian influence campaign.
Stefanik’s Statement When GOP Lawmakers Probe Harris
Stefanik expressed her concerns to The Post, stating, “Since last year, I have demanded accountability from the Department of Defense for allowing Iranian regime acolytes to infiltrate high-level government staff.”
She added, “The Biden-Harris Administration policy of appeasing Iran and abandoning Israel will only worsen if Kamala Harris and her Iranian apologist staff are elevated. I am proud to join Senator Cotton to demand accountability.”
Connections to Iranian Influence Operations
The investigation centers around Gordon’s associations with Ariane Tabatabai, an aide to suspended Iran special envoy Robert Malley. Tabatabai was involved in founding the Iran Experts Initiative. This project worked with senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials to influence nuclear deal negotiations starting in 2014.
Stefanik and Cotton’s letter highlights Gordon’s co-authored op-eds with Tabatabai, which they claim presented biased views favoring Tehran. The lawmakers wrote, “In a March 2020 piece, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Tabatabai claimed continued sanctions on Iran would create ‘catastrophe’ in the Middle East. In another, they wrote sanctions could lead to new Iranian efforts to ‘lash out with attacks on its neighbors. And also on Americans and American interests in the Middle East.'”
Concerns Over National Security
The letter also raises concerns about Gordon’s association with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). Also, it was described as “another Iranian influence organization that allegedly collaborates with Tehran.” Furthermore, the lawmakers noted Gordon’s speaking engagements at NIAC’s leadership conferences in 2014 and 2016.
Furthermore, Stefanik and Cotton pointed out that while Malley had his security clearance revoked, “Tabatabai remains gainfully employed in the Defense Department, helping oversee sensitive special operations.”
The lawmakers also alleged that Amos Hochstein, a State Department official, may have “passed intelligence about Israeli airstrikes to Hezbollah potentially as recently as this weekend.”
Ongoing Investigations
The FBI and State Department Office of Inspector General are currently investigating Malley for allegedly passing classified material to Tehran. Malley, who served as a top negotiator for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during the Obama administration, was working to bring Iranian officials back to negotiations before his suspension.
Stefanik and Cotton have requested details about Gordon’s security clearance and any investigations into his ties with Tabatabai by August 9. This probe comes amid growing concerns over Iranian influence in U.S. foreign policy circles and its potential impact on national security.
Image by GPA Photo Archive on Flickr
