In January 2020, after Soleimani was killed by US drones in Iraq, Javad Zarif received an email advising him of a “retaliation” plan against the US. It was from Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi. In his proposal which he said “would strike fear in the heart of the enemy,” he suggested Islamic Republic should “end all inspections and end all information on Iran’s nuclear activities pending a [United Nations Security Council] condemnation of [the United States’] illegal crime.” According to the federal complaint filed at Boston Federal Court, this wasn’t the only email he has sent to Islamic Republic Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, and the Permanent Representative of the regime in the UN.
Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, also known as Lotfolah Kaveh Afrasiabi, an Iranian national and permanent US resident, has been arrested by the FBI at his Waterown, Massachusetts house yesterday, and charged with “acting and conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of Government of Islamic Republic.” Afrasiabi is just one of the many agents of Islamic Republic in the US and other countries who are paid to spread the theocratic regime’s propaganda.
Not unlike Germany Nazi, Chinese Communist Party or the Russians, the Islamic Republic has been fooling the world with its vast network of propagandists in the media, especially English speaking ones in the UK and US. Some have hidden all traces going back to the regime in Iran but some like Mr. Afrasiabi has left traces everywhere!
According to John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Kaveh has introduced himself to Congress representatives, US media and public as an independent expert in Iran affairs. In reality, he was employed by the Islamic Republic Permanent Mission to the UN and was paid to spread their propaganda. By evading the truth and hiding his true employers from the public, journalists and policymakers, he was pushing Islamic Republic policies as “expert advice and analysis.”
Afrasiabi portrays himself as a PhD in Political Science from Boston University! According to his biography, he’s published 18 books, last of which titled “Trump and Iran,” and authored many articles at NYTimes, Council on Foreign Affairs, Guardian, UN Chronicle and many more, showing his reach and impacts on public opinion! Apparently, he also was “an advisor to the Iran’s negotiation team” during 2004-2005 nuclear talks! A number of his articles and books are co-authored by another Iranian national, Nader Entessar!
Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi has admitted his achievements in publishing books and TV appearances in which he has pushed for regime’s propaganda, would have been impossible without the funding received from the Islamic Republic. In his July 28, 2020 email to Zarif, he included links to his books and articles saying, “Without support none of this would have been possible! This has been a very productive relationship spanning decades that ought not to be interrupted.”
Federal authorities included evidences in the complaint showing Afrasiabi receiving about $265,000 directly from checks drawn on Islamic Republic’s Permanent Mission to the UN’s bank account. He’s also been insured through health insurance benefits for employees of the Mission at least since 2011.
In the press release, US Federal authorities emphasized on enforcing Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires all foreign agents to be registered with the US government. This arrest could be a red alert for other Islamic Republic agents in the US, pretending to be “Iran experts” and pushing Islamic Republic propaganda. The same agents who publish a set of “Christmas shopping photos in Tehran” but don’t mention conversion to Christianity or other religions is a crime punishable by death or lengthy imprisonments! Naser Navard-Goltapeh is just one example of converts who is in prison for 3 years and been sentenced to 10 years!
Or make excuses for the brutal crackdown of peaceful protesters during November 2019 nationwide uprising.
