Arian Tabatabai has been appointed assistant secretary of defense for military education and training amid an ongoing investigation into his alleged ties to Iranian influence networks.
Mr. Tabatabai, an American-Iranian, previously served as chief of staff to the assistant secretary of defense for special operations. According to Go to Politico. The Pentagon on Tuesday refuted claims that Tabatabai was involved in the ongoing investigation into the document leak, as Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Tabatabai was not involved in the leak., Despite condemnation from foreign media and widespread discussion on social media, the Washington Examiner reported.
“To my knowledge, this official is not a person of interest and the department remains committed to assisting in the investigation,” Ryder said, according to the Washington Examiner. “I have emphasized my knowledge, but I am not going to start publishing names to perpetuate the information that the officials mentioned are not of interest. So leave it at that.”
Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder earlier today responded to multiple media reports that identified Arian Tabatabai, a senior Iranian-American official who serves as the assistant secretary of defense’s chief of staff for special operations, as a “person of interest.” was officially denied. pic.twitter.com/jcvGOZHdMb
— Alex Kennedy (@therealmindman) October 23, 2024
In September 2023, it was reported that the Biden administration was investigating Mr. Tabatabai for possible links to Iranian influence networks, although Mr. Tabatabai had previously been recognized for his thorough investigation and valuable work. . Chris Meyer, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, spoke at a Congressional hearing about the process by which the Pentagon granted top-secret clearance to Tabatabai amid allegations of his involvement in the Iran Experts Initiative. confirmed that it is investigating. (Related: ‘Radio Silence’: Biden Administration Refuses to Explain Reason for Hiring Pentagon Official Accused of Iranian Influencer)
Founded in 2014, the group aims to improve global perceptions of Iran, particularly regarding its nuclear ambitions, by influencing Western thought leaders and policymakers. Despite the controversy, Tabatabai remains the Pentagon’s chief of staff for special operations, and investigations into her past affiliations and security procedures continue.
The development follows the revocation of security clearance for former Iranian envoy Robert Murray, who is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly mishandling classified information. Former U.S. officials have accused Murry and his advisers of being intellectually compromised, aligned with Iranian propaganda and unfit for role in the U.S. government.
Asked for comment, a spokesperson for the Daily Caller News Foundation’s defense news operations said, “We do not comment on internal personnel or hiring decisions.”
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