Two Republican lawmakers question Harris advisor’s ties to Iran

Republican lawmakers Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Elise M Stefanik wrote a letter this week to US Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris “to express concern” about her national security advisor Dr Philip Gordon’s alleged connections to Iranian influence campaigns.

They alleged that Gordon is connected to US defence official Dr Ariane Tabatabai, who was accused of being a part of the Iran Experts Initiative (IEI), an Iranian foreign ministry project promoting Tehran’s interests in the West.

An investigation by Semafor found that Tabatabai consulted the Iranian government ahead of several meetings.

Thirty-one Republican senators, including Cotton, wrote a letter urging the secretary of defence to review Tabatabai in September of last year.

The Department of Defence found her security clearance befitting protocol, and Tabatabai continued in her role. Previously, she was also cleared for work at Nato and the think tank, Rand Corporation.

This week’s letter alleged that Gordon and Tabatabai co-authored several opinion articles “blatantly promoting the Iranian regime’s perspective and interests” by arguing against sanctions on Tehran.

It also listed Gordon’s speaker engagements at the National Iranian American Council, a non-profit with pro-Iranian stances.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is no stranger to Iran accommodators, appeasers and accomplices,” Cotton and Stefanik wrote.

Cotton previously said that the “little Gazas” – referring to pro-Palestine encampments on university campuses – are “disgusting cesspools”.

Stefanik recently spoke at the Israeli parliament, calling for unconditional US aid to Israel.

The two lawmakers asked Harris to respond to a series of questions regarding Gordon’s security clearance and ties to Tabatabai.

“As the Vice President what specific actions will you take to address the issue of Iranian sympathisers, aside from yourself, within the Administration?” the lawmakers wrote, implying that Harris is an “Iranian sympathiser” herself.

A prolific writer with high-ranking roles across multiple administrations, Gordon is expected to play an important role in a Harris White House if she is elected president.