Scrutiny Grows Over Defense Official's Ties to Iranian Influence Group
- A Pentagon official with ties to Iran visited the White House eight times.
- The visits raised questions about ongoing access to classified information.
- Concerns were raised after the official's connections to Tehran's hardline regime were exposed.
Ariane Tabatabai, a senior official at the Department of Defense, has come under renewed scrutiny following her participation in multiple meetings organized by the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office. Visitor logs reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon indicate that Tabatabai attended these meetings just two months after being identified as a key member of the Iran Experts Initiative, a group reportedly linked to Iran’s foreign ministry. Her access to the White House has raised concerns amid ongoing investigations led by Sen. Tom Cotton and Rep. Elise Stefanik regarding her connections to Phil Gordon, national security adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris. Tabatabai and Gordon have coauthored several opinion pieces opposing sanctions on Iran, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding her role within the Biden administration. Currently serving as chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations, Tabatabai holds a position that provides her access to classified information. Stefanik expressed alarm over Tabatabai's influence, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into her ties to the Iranian regime and her collaboration with Gordon. The meetings attended by Tabatabai were organized by Danielle Vanessa Millones and included around 30 other appointees from various government agencies. These gatherings occurred monthly from November 2023 to April 2024, coinciding with congressional inquiries into Tabatabai’s relationship with Iran. Cotton and Stefanik have recently renewed their investigation, seeking detailed information about her connections to Gordon, who is considered a potential candidate for a significant national security role in a future Harris administration. Stefanik underscored the importance of Congress continuing to investigate Tabatabai's appointment, citing concerns over her perceived anti-Israel and pro-Iran sentiments, especially given her access to sensitive information. The ongoing scrutiny reflects broader concerns about the influence of foreign entities within U.S. government positions.