An investigation by Iran International reveals that three Iran experts closely associated with Robert Malley, the Biden administration’s special envoy on Iran, were part of an influence network guided by Tehran. The findings are based on thousands of emails between Iranian diplomats and analysts, showing how Iran’s foreign ministry established the Iran Experts Initiative (IEI) in 2014 to shape global perceptions of Iran’s nuclear program and foreign policy. The IEI, referred to as “the youth network,” included analysts like Ariane Tabatabai, Ali Vaez, and Dina Esfandiary, who worked with Malley at the State Department or the International Crisis Group (ICG). These analysts, while presenting themselves as independent, maintained undisclosed ties to Iranian officials, seeking guidance on matters like conference participation and pre-publication reviews of their work.

The IEI was proposed by Saeed Khatibzadeh, a Berlin-based Iranian diplomat, and supported by Mostafa Zahrani, a Revolutionary Guards member and advisor to former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The network aimed to counter Iran’s “pariah state” image and promote its nuclear negotiations during the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks. Members of the IEI published articles, gave interviews, and attended conferences to advocate for Iran’s positions, often coordinating with Tehran. For instance, Tabatabai and Vaez sought Iranian officials’ input on their writings and conference attendance, while Zahrani facilitated their connections with Zarif.

Malley, who played a key role in negotiating the JCPOA, recruited Tabatabai and Vaez for his team, though Vaez’s security clearance was denied. Despite this, Malley maintained close ties with Vaez, who drafted his tweets. The investigation raises questions about the influence of Iranian officials on U.S. policy discussions, as IEI members operated within Western think tanks while aligning with Tehran’s agenda. The U.S. State Department and ICG defended their staff, emphasizing their independence, but the emails suggest a deeper collaboration between IEI members and Iranian authorities.

The IEI’s activities peaked during the 2015 nuclear negotiations, with members publishing articles and participating in media debates to support Iran’s stance. The network also expanded to European think tanks, fostering ties with analysts like Ellie Geranmayeh and Rouzbeh Parsi. Despite claims of independence, the IEI’s formation and operations were orchestrated by Iranian officials, who funded and guided its activities. The investigation underscores Tehran’s efforts to influence Western policy through a network of seemingly independent analysts, raising concerns about transparency and the integrity of policy discussions on Iran.