Leaked Emails Reveal Iran's Influence Operation

In the spring of 2014, senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials initiated a quiet effort to bolster Tehran's image and positions on global security issues, particularly its nuclear program12. The effort was part of an influence operation known as the Iran Engagement Initiative (IEI), which aimed to shape the narrative around Iran's nuclear program and improve the country's image in the international community12.

Leaked emails obtained and translated by Iran International, a Persian-language television news channel headquartered in London, and shared with Semafor, offer deep and unprecedented new insights into the thinking and inner workings of Iran's Foreign Ministry at a crucial time in the nuclear diplomacy1. The emails reveal how Iran was capable of the kind of influence operations that the U.S. and its allies in the region often conduct1.

The officials, working under the moderate President Hassan Rouhani, congratulated themselves on the impact of the initiative, with at least three of the officials involved in the operation later being appointed to senior positions in Rouhani's government3. The emails also reveal how Iran was working on connections with people who ended up in policy positions under Obama and Biden6.

The leaked emails have caused concern among political and security circles, with some questioning the extent of Iran's influence operation and its impact on U.S. foreign policy245. The documents offer unprecedented new insights into the thinking and inner workings of Iran's Foreign Ministry at a crucial time in the nuclear diplomacy1.

Key facts from the story:

• In the spring of 2014, senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials initiated a quiet effort to bolster Tehran's image and positions on global security issues, particularly its nuclear program12.
• The effort was part of an influence operation known as the Iran Engagement Initiative (IEI), which aimed to shape the narrative around Iran's nuclear program and improve the country's image in the international community12.
• Leaked emails obtained and translated by Iran International, a Persian-language television news channel headquartered in London, and shared with Semafor, offer deep and unprecedented new insights into the thinking and inner workings of Iran's Foreign Ministry at a crucial time in the nuclear diplomacy1.
• The officials, working under the moderate President Hassan Rouhani, congratulated themselves on the impact of the initiative, with at least three of the officials involved in the operation later being appointed to senior positions in Rouhani's government3.
• The leaked emails have caused concern among political and security circles, with some questioning the extent of Iran's influence operation and its impact on U.S. foreign policy245.