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{{Short description|Bi-partisan, non-profit advocacy organization in the United States}}
{{infobox organization {{infobox organization
|name = United Against Nuclear Iran | name = United Against Nuclear Iran
|image = UANI_logo.jpg | image = UANI_logo.jpg
|size = 200px | size = 200px
|caption = | caption =
|motto = | motto =
|formation = 2008 | formation = 2008
|headquarters = | headquarters =
|type = | type = ]
| tax_id = 26-2387657
|leader_title = CEO | leader_title = CEO
|leader_name = ] | leader_name = ]<ref name="wallace" />
|leader_title2 = Chairman | leader_title2 = Chairman
|leader_name2 = ]
| leader_name2 = ]<ref name="bush" />
|leader_title3 = President
| leader_title3 = Founding co-chairs
|leader_name3 = David Ibsen
| leader_name3 = {{unbulleted list|] | ] |]}}
|key_people = | key_people =
|website =
| website = {{Official URL}}
}} }}
'''United Against Nuclear Iran''' ('''UANI''') is a bi-partisan, non-profit ] in the United States. Its stated objective is to "prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about|title=About Us|website=UANI|language=en|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref> Along with other advocacy campaigns, the organization leads efforts to pressure companies to stop doing business with Iran as a means to halt the Iranian government's ] and its alleged development of ]. '''United Against Nuclear Iran''' ('''UANI''') is a ], non-profit ] based in the United States. Its stated objective is to "prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about|title=About Us|website=UANI|language=en|access-date=2018-11-03|archive-date=2017-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212030853/https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/|url-status=live}}</ref> Along with other advocacy campaigns, the organization leads efforts to pressure companies to stop doing business with Iran as a means to halt the Iranian government's ] and its alleged development of ].

In 2014, the ] intervened in a private lawsuit filed against UANI and requested its dismissal on the ground that the continued litigation of the case would jeopardize US national security. The government's motion was granted by a ] in 2015, marking a rare expansion of the ] into private civil litigation in which the government was not a party.<ref name="CNNobama-iran-privacy-lawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/23/politics/obama-iran-privacy-lawsuit/|title=Obama administration shuts down lawsuit to protect U.S. secrets on Iran|publisher=cnn.com|access-date=2015-03-29 |date=2015-03-23}}</ref><ref name="CNNwhite-house-invokes-state-secrets-lawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/13/politics/white-house-invokes-state-secrets-lawsuit/|title=Justice Dept. invokes 'state secrets privilege' to block lawsuit|publisher=cnn.com|access-date=2015-03-29 |date=2015-03-23}}</ref><ref name="WBALTVobama-shuts-down-suit-on-us-secrets-on-iran">{{cite web|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/obama-shuts-down-suit-on-us-secrets-on-iran/31973220|title=Feds shut down lawsuit; cite U.S. secrets on Iran: Judge says it's bad for plaintiff, not no intermediary step|publisher=wbaltv.com|access-date=2015-03-29 |date=2015-03-24}}</ref><ref name="Lawsuit-vs-anti-Iran-group-is-dismissed-over-US-state-secrets">{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/u-wins-dismissal-private-lawsuit-said-risks-state-190515124.html|title=Lawsuit vs anti-Iran group is dismissed over U.S. state secrets|publisher=Reuters|access-date=2015-03-29 |date=2015-03-23}}</ref>


==Leadership== ==Leadership==
The CEO of the UANI is ], who previously served as U.S. ambassador to the ], representative for UN Management and Reform.<ref>{{cite news |first=Marc |last=Perelman |title=Broad-Based Coalition Seeks To Prevent a Nuclear Iran |work=] |date=September 11, 2008 |url=http://www.forward.com/articles/14195/}}</ref> Former ] from ] ] serves as the organization's chairman.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Ex-Sen. Lieberman takes reins of anti-Iran deal group |url=http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/250808-ex-sen-lieberman-takes-reins-on-anti-iran-deal-group |newspaper=The Hill }}</ref> ], who previously served as U.S. ambassador to the ] for UN Management and Reform, is founding CEO.<ref name="wallace">{{cite news |first=Marc |last=Perelman |title=Broad-Based Coalition Seeks To Prevent a Nuclear Iran |work=] |date=September 11, 2008 |url=http://www.forward.com/articles/14195/ |access-date=June 18, 2009 |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204052943/http://www.forward.com/articles/14195/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Governor ] has been chairman since August 2024.<ref name="bush">{{Cite web |last=Stoll |first=Ira |author-link=Ira Stoll |title=Jeb Bush Takes Helm of Group Countering Iran |url=https://www.theeditors.com/p/jeb-bush-takes-helm-of-group-countering |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=www.theeditors.com |language=en}}</ref>


Former ] ] from ] ] served as the organization's chairman from 2015 until his death in 2024.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Ex-Sen. Lieberman takes reins of anti-Iran deal group |url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/250808-ex-sen-lieberman-takes-reins-on-anti-iran-deal-group/ |newspaper=The Hill |access-date=April 16, 2024 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009153542/https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/250808-ex-sen-lieberman-takes-reins-on-anti-iran-deal-group/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Ambassadors ] and ] were the original co-founders and co-chairman of the organization before being appointed to positions in the ].<ref name=leadership></ref> David Ibsen is the Executive Director.


Ambassadors ] and ] were original co-founders and co-chairman, alongside former CIA director ], before being appointed to positions in the ].<ref name=leadership>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/leadership |title="Leadership" |access-date=2009-06-18 |archive-date=2017-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213131922/https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/leadership |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross has since rejoined the advisory board.<ref name=":4" />
In May 2012, UANI formed a transatlantic partnership to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran with the ], a London-based think tank.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran: Advocacy Groups Join in Drive to Tighten Sanctions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/world/middleeast/iran-advocacy-groups-join-in-drive-to-tighten-sanctions.html?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 May 2012 }}</ref> ], former president of the ] (BND) of Germany, is senior advisor to the initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unitedagainstnucleariran.com/press-releases/uani-and-institute-strategic-dialogue-launch-transatlantic-initiative-prevent-nuclear |title=UANI and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue Launch Transatlantic Initiative to Prevent a Nuclear-Armed Iran |date=17 May 2012 |publisher=UANI }}</ref>


Other members of the board, as of September 2024, include ], Senator ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], Dr. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Leadership |url=https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/leadership |website=United Against Nuclear Iran |access-date=2024-09-09 |archive-date=2016-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123060511/https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/leadership |url-status=live }}</ref> ], former president of the ] (BND) of Germany, is also on the advisory board.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2012 |title=UANI and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue Launch Transatlantic Initiative to Prevent a Nuclear-Armed Iran |url=http://unitedagainstnucleariran.com/press-releases/uani-and-institute-strategic-dialogue-launch-transatlantic-initiative-prevent-nuclear |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128094627/http://unitedagainstnucleariran.com/press-releases/uani-and-institute-strategic-dialogue-launch-transatlantic-initiative-prevent-nuclear |archive-date=28 January 2016 |access-date=6 January 2013 |publisher=UANI}}</ref>
==Funding==

The top donors to UANI are a pair of trusts associated with the billionaire ] and a family foundation operated by Republican mega-donors ] and ]. Together, the funding associated with Kaplan and the Adelson's accounted for more than three-quarters of the group's total revenue of $1.7 million for the 2013 tax year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Document Reveals Billionaire Backers Behind United Against Nuclear Iran |author=Eli Clifton |publisher=LobeLog |date=6 July 2015 |url=http://www.lobelog.com/document-reveals-billionaire-backers-behind-united-against-nuclear-iran/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=GOP Mega-Donor Sheldon Adelson Funds Mysterious Anti-Iran Pressure Group|author=Eli Clifton |newspaper=] |date=14 January 2015 |url=http://www.thenation.com/article/gop-megadonor-sheldon-adelson-funds-mysterious-anti-iran-pressure-group/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mega-donors opposing Iran deal have upper hand in fierce lobbying battle|author=Catherine Ho |newspaper=] |date=13 August 2015 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/08/13/mega-donors-opposing-iran-deal-have-upper-hand-in-fierce-lobbying-battle/}}</ref>
== History ==
===2008–09===
UANI was founded in 2008 following a chance encounter between ] and ] on a train.<ref name=":3" /> It hoped to replicate the ] which brought together a wide cross section of society to raise awareness about Iran's nuclear ambitions.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Perelman |first=Marc |date=September 11, 2008 |title=Broad-Based Coalition Seeks To Prevent a Nuclear Iran |url=http://www.forward.com/articles/14195/ |work=The Forward |access-date=June 18, 2009 |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204052943/http://www.forward.com/articles/14195/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace was founding CEO with Holbrooke, along with CIA Director ] and Ambassadors ] serving as founding co chairs.<ref name=":2" /> At the start of the ] in 2009, Holbrooke and Ross&nbsp;—&nbsp;along with another advisory board member, ] — left UANI to take positions at the White House.<ref name=":3" />

In the run-up to the September 2009 ] (UNGA), UANI called on ] hotels and venues to refuse to host Iranian President ]. In its boycott campaign, UANI succeeded in having the ] cancel his reservation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Campanile |first=Carl |date=18 September 2009 |title=A'jad gets heave-ho from Helmsley Hotel |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/jad_gets_heave_ho_from_helmsley_nIJbRjyo9FqI7FhHe5SM3O |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013211612/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/jad_gets_heave_ho_from_helmsley_nIJbRjyo9FqI7FhHe5SM3O |archive-date=13 October 2012 |access-date=18 September 2009 |work=]}}</ref> Two other New York hotels, ] and the ]-owned ], followed suit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Russell |date=24 September 2009 |title=Iranian President Ahmadinejad Booted From Third New York Hotel |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranian-president-ahmadinejad-booted-york-hotel/story?id=8664643 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304051827/https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranian-president-ahmadinejad-booted-york-hotel/story?id=8664643 |archive-date=4 March 2019 |access-date=29 June 2020 |work=]}}</ref>

===2010–19===
In May 2012, UANI formed a transatlantic partnership to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran with the ], a London-based think tank.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 2012 |title=Iran: Advocacy Groups Join in Drive to Tighten Sanctions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/world/middleeast/iran-advocacy-groups-join-in-drive-to-tighten-sanctions.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417213225/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/world/middleeast/iran-advocacy-groups-join-in-drive-to-tighten-sanctions.html?_r=0 |archive-date=17 April 2020 |access-date=25 February 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2013, Gary Samore returned to UANI as its president following service in the Biden administration, and would remain in the role for 2 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Head of Group Opposing Iran Accord Quits Post, Saying He Backs Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/12/world/middleeast/head-of-group-opposing-iran-accord-quits-post-saying-he-backs-deal.html |work=New York Times}}</ref> ] served on the UANI's advisory board until 2018 before leaving to join the Trump administration. In 2019 he returned to the organization as a senior advisor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Marty |title=Bolton returns to United Against Nuclear Iran as senior adviser |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/471085-bolton-returns-to-return-as-senior-advisor-for-united-against-nuclear/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816081540/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/471085-bolton-returns-to-return-as-senior-advisor-for-united-against-nuclear/ |archive-date=2024-08-16 |access-date=2024-08-16 |work=The Hill}}</ref>

In June 2013, UANI launched its Maritime Intelligence Network and Rogue Vessel Analysis (MINERVA) system. According to ''the New York Times,'' it uses "publicly available satellite transmissions from ship transponders, including data on speed, identity, direction and destination, and correlated the information with other navigational data and computer algorithms" to track Iranian vessels potentially violating sanctions. The system then creates "vessel behavior profiles that could identify questionable activities even if the transponders were temporarily turned off." According to UANI, "the system had exposed possible sanctions violations that the group had then publicized, forcing the Iranians or their partners to change plans."<ref name="minerva">{{cite news |date=23 June 2013 |title=Group Keeps Long-Distance Watch on Iran and Possible Sanction Violations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world/middleeast/group-keeps-watch-on-iran-and-possible-sanction-violations.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914141808/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world/middleeast/group-keeps-watch-on-iran-and-possible-sanction-violations.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=14 September 2018 |access-date=25 February 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times |page=A15}}</ref>

Also in 2013, Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman for Iran's permanent mission to the UN, said the Iranian government considers the activities of UANI "counterproductive and contrary to the policy announced by the new administration in early 2009, which purportedly sought to diplomatically interact with Iran."<ref name="minerva" /> In 2013, a pair of trusts associated with ] and ] and ]'s family foundation accounted for more than three-quarters of the group's total revenue of $1.7 million for the 2013 tax year.<ref>{{cite news |author=Eli Clifton |date=6 July 2015 |title=Document Reveals Billionaire Backers Behind United Against Nuclear Iran |url=http://www.lobelog.com/document-reveals-billionaire-backers-behind-united-against-nuclear-iran/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118210202/https://lobelog.com/document-reveals-billionaire-backers-behind-united-against-nuclear-iran/ |archive-date=18 January 2019 |access-date=4 August 2015 |publisher=LobeLog}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Eli Clifton |date=14 January 2015 |title=GOP Mega-Donor Sheldon Adelson Funds Mysterious Anti-Iran Pressure Group |url=http://www.thenation.com/article/gop-megadonor-sheldon-adelson-funds-mysterious-anti-iran-pressure-group/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503055603/https://www.thenation.com/article/gop-megadonor-sheldon-adelson-funds-mysterious-anti-iran-pressure-group/ |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=24 December 2015 |newspaper=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Catherine Ho |date=13 August 2015 |title=Mega-donors opposing Iran deal have upper hand in fierce lobbying battle |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/08/13/mega-donors-opposing-iran-deal-have-upper-hand-in-fierce-lobbying-battle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815135114/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/08/13/mega-donors-opposing-iran-deal-have-upper-hand-in-fierce-lobbying-battle/ |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=22 June 2016 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

In September 2014, the ] intervened in a private lawsuit filed against UANI and requested its dismissal on the ground that the continued litigation of the case would jeopardize US national security. The case was in response to a lawsuit brought by Greek shipping magnate Victor Restis against UANI in July 2013. In response, the United States Government filed a motion asserting its right to intervene in the proceedings and requesting that Restis' complaint be dismissed because "continued litigation would risk disclosure" of sensitive matters pertaining to national security.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214211418/https://fas.org/blogs/secrecy/2014/09/uani-state-secrets/|date=2017-12-14}} Steven Aftergood, Federation o American Scientists, September 15, 2014</ref> The government's motion for dismissal was granted by ] ] on March 23, 2015, a rare case of ] being applied in private civil litigation in which the government was not a party.<ref name="CNNobama-iran-privacy-lawsuit">{{cite web |date=2015-03-23 |title=Obama administration shuts down lawsuit to protect U.S. secrets on Iran |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/23/politics/obama-iran-privacy-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331023435/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/23/politics/obama-iran-privacy-lawsuit |archive-date=2015-03-31 |access-date=2015-03-29 |publisher=cnn.com}}</ref><ref name="CNNwhite-house-invokes-state-secrets-lawsuit">{{cite web |date=2015-03-23 |title=Justice Dept. invokes 'state secrets privilege' to block lawsuit |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/13/politics/white-house-invokes-state-secrets-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110656/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/13/politics/white-house-invokes-state-secrets-lawsuit/ |archive-date=2015-04-02 |access-date=2015-03-29 |publisher=cnn.com}}</ref><ref name="WBALTVobama-shuts-down-suit-on-us-secrets-on-iran">{{cite web |date=2015-03-24 |title=Feds shut down lawsuit; cite U.S. secrets on Iran: Judge says it's bad for plaintiff, not no intermediary step |url=http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/obama-shuts-down-suit-on-us-secrets-on-iran/31973220 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132118/http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/obama-shuts-down-suit-on-us-secrets-on-iran/31973220 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |access-date=2015-03-29 |publisher=wbaltv.com}}</ref><ref name="Lawsuit-vs-anti-Iran-group-is-dismissed-over-US-state-secrets">{{cite web |date=2015-03-23 |title=Lawsuit vs anti-Iran group is dismissed over U.S. state secrets |url=https://news.yahoo.com/u-wins-dismissal-private-lawsuit-said-risks-state-190515124.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123011426/https://news.yahoo.com/u-wins-dismissal-private-lawsuit-said-risks-state-190515124.html |archive-date=2018-11-23 |access-date=2015-03-29 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Feldman |first=Noah |date=March 29, 2015 |title=A court case so secret, US Govt says it can't go on |url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11424037 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014745/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11424037 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |work=New Zealand Herald}}</ref> Four prior cases were cited where a US court dismissed lawsuits on state secrets grounds without direct government involvement, but this was the first time neither the government nor a defense contractors were involved.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeremy Bob |first=Yonah |date=March 23, 2015 |title=Blocking disclosure in Restis v. UANI: Who's ever heard of national security? |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Why-is-the-US-government-intervening-in-defamation-case-against-anti-Iran-group-395014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813193051/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Why-is-the-US-government-intervening-in-defamation-case-against-anti-Iran-group-395014 |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |work=Jerusalem Post}}</ref>

In August 2015, Senator ] became chairman of UANI, serving until his death in March 2024.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="bush" /> In September 2016, Governor ], a ], joined the organization's advisory board alongside Governor ], a Democrat who served as ] under President ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-08 |title=UANI Welcomes Jeb Bush and Bill Richardson as Newest Advisory Board Members |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160908005929/en/UANI-Welcomes-Jeb-Bush-and-Bill-Richardson-as-Newest-Advisory-Board-Members |website=BusinessWire |publisher=United Against Nuclear Iran}}</ref>

On September 24, 2019, the ] stated it would include UANI in its list of terrorist organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-24 |title=United Against Nuclear Iran to be added to list of terrorist groups |url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83489548/United-Against-Nuclear-Iran-to-be-added-to-list-of-terrorist |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=IRNA English |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite web |date=2019-09-25 |title=Iran to include NGO against nuclear in list of terrorist organizations |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-to-include-ngo-against-nuclear-in-list-of-terrorist-organizations-602745 |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref> This came following UANI playing a key role in the United States decision to list the ] as terrorists and before a UANI summit featuring then-Secretary of State ].<ref name=":52" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mousavian |first=Seyed |date=September 21, 2023 |title=The Rise and Fall of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action |url=https://media.defense.gov/2023/Sep/21/2003305663/-1/-1/1/JIPA%20-%20MOUSAVIAN.PDF/JIPA%20-%20MOUSAVIAN.PDF |journal=Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs |via=]}}</ref>

===2020–present===
During the ], UANI used ] tactics against nine pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device corporations to "end their Iran business." While the companies were exempt from sanctions for humanitarian reasons, the effort "sought to impose reputational costs on companies that engage in lawful and legitimate trade with Iran, including humanitarian trade" according to Tyler Cullis, a legal fellow at the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306000824/https://theintercept.com/2020/03/05/iran-coronavirus-medicine-sanctions/|date=2020-03-06}}, ''The Intercept''</ref>

In June 2022, UANI identified the VHF Transceiver Two-Way Radio manufactured by ] as being used by ], a U.S. designated ]. It sent a letter to Icom outlining its concerns about the dual-use capability of the radios and regarding Icom’s business ties to Power Group (Icom’s representatives in Lebanon) and Faza Gostrar, which claims to be the “Official ICOM representative in Iran.”<ref> United Against Nuclear Iran, July 11, 2022.</ref><ref name=nyt>Christiaan Triebert and Aric Toler (September 18, 2024. ''The New York Times''.</ref>

In 2022, ] stopped accepting orders from Iran following concerns raised by UANI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Laura |date=2022-11-22 |title=Taiwan firm halts business with Iran amid US scrutiny of drone program |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/3746806-taiwan-firm-halts-business-with-iran-amid-us-scrutiny-of-drone-program/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2024, UANI announced that Governor ] would succeed Lieberman the organization's chairman.<ref name="bush" />


==Corporate campaigns== ==Corporate campaigns==
UANI runs the Iran Business Registry (IBR), "a running database of reputable media and academic reports of international corporations doing business in Iran." UANI encourages citizens to use the IBR to increase product awareness, divest, contact businesses as well as elected officials. It also calls on companies to sign a declaration to certify their company does not do business with Iran.<ref> | UANI</ref> More than 500 companies are listed on UANI's IBR page. UANI runs the , "a running database of reputable media and academic reports of international corporations doing business in Iran." UANI encourages citizens to use the IBR to increase product awareness, divest, contact businesses as well as elected officials. It also calls on companies to sign a declaration to certify their company does not do business with Iran.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926080703/http://www.uani.com/ibr |date=2009-09-26 }} | UANI</ref> The registry was launched in 2009 and more than 500 companies are listed on UANI's IBR page.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2009 |title=UANI Announces Launch Of Iran Business Registry & The Week's Message Highlighting Iranian Imports Of Gasoline |url=https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/node/786}}</ref>


===General Electric=== ===General Electric===


In September 2009, ] (GE) signed UANI's "Iran Business Declaration" to not conduct business with Iran. As part of its pledge, GE will donate profits to charitable organizations from the sale of any humanitarian health care products to Iran.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obama Aides Started Group Pressuring Siemens on Iran |author=Lorraine Woolert |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=22 September 2009 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=adt1kRSzzqxg }}</ref> In September 2009, ] (GE) signed UANI's "Iran Business Declaration" to not conduct business with Iran. As part of its pledge, GE will donate profits to charitable organizations from the sale of any humanitarian health care products to Iran.<ref name=":3">{{cite news |author=Lorraine Woolert |date=22 September 2009 |title=Obama Aides Started Group Pressuring Siemens on Iran |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-09-22/obama-aides-started-group-pressuring-siemens-on-iran |newspaper=Bloomberg News |access-date=2024-09-10 |archive-date=2024-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910152904/https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=66c3aaf3-6f89-11ef-946f-d1be47aed678&url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAwOS0wOS0yMi9vYmFtYS1haWRlcy1zdGFydGVkLWdyb3VwLXByZXNzdXJpbmctc2llbWVucy1vbi1pcmFu |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Huntsman=== ===Huntsman===


In January 2010, the American chemical company ] said it would discontinue sales in Iran after coming under pressure from United Against Nuclear Iran. UANI reported that one of Huntsman's subsidiaries was selling ] in Iran, a ] material which UANI said could be used in the development of ]. In a statement, Huntsman said, "The small amount of business done there does not justify the reputational risk currently associated with doing business with entities located in Iran due to growing international concern over the policies of the current regime."<ref>{{cite news |title=Huntsman Stops Sales in Iran on Concern for Government Actions |author=Bill Varner |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=27 January 2010 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aEwKEs0RZnxU }}</ref> In January 2010, the American chemical company ] said it would discontinue sales in Iran after coming under pressure from United Against Nuclear Iran. UANI reported that one of Huntsman's subsidiaries was selling ] in Iran, a ] material which UANI said could be used in the development of ]. In a statement, Huntsman said, "The small amount of business done there does not justify the reputational risk currently associated with doing business with entities located in Iran due to growing international concern over the policies of the current regime."<ref>{{cite news |title=Huntsman Stops Sales in Iran on Concern for Government Actions |author=Bill Varner |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=27 January 2010 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aEwKEs0RZnxU |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=22 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122224028/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Caterpillar=== ===Caterpillar===
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In response to a UANI pressure campaign, the heavy-equipment manufacturer ] ceased its business in Iran through its non-U.S. subsidiaries. As part of the campaign, UANI erected a roadside ] near the company's headquarters in ] which pictured a Caterpillar digger alongside a picture of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with the slogan "Today's work, Tomorrow's Nuclear Iran." In response to a UANI pressure campaign, the heavy-equipment manufacturer ] ceased its business in Iran through its non-U.S. subsidiaries. As part of the campaign, UANI erected a roadside ] near the company's headquarters in ] which pictured a Caterpillar digger alongside a picture of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with the slogan "Today's work, Tomorrow's Nuclear Iran."


UANI sought to link the activities of Caterpillar's wholly owned Canadian subsidiary ], a manufacturer of ]s, to Iran's alleged construction of tunnels to obscure and shield its ]. Additionally, the Iranian company Arya Machinery, which marketed itself on its website as Iran's exclusive dealer of Caterpillar machinery, had been purchasing Caterpillar equipment from a Caterpillar subsidiary in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Caterpillar moves to cut links with Iran |author=Harvey Morris |newspaper=Financial Times |date=1 March 2010 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75f16576-248a-11df-8be0-00144feab49a.html |page=A1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Caterpillar Prohibits Sales of Equipment Bound for Iran |author=Chip Cummins |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=2 March 2010 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703429304575095430605944518 |page=B2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Profiting From Iran, and the U.S. |author=Jo Becker and Ron Nixon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 March 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/06/world/iran-sanctions.html?ref=middleeast }}</ref> UANI sought to link the activities of Caterpillar's wholly owned Canadian subsidiary ], a manufacturer of ]s, to Iran's alleged construction of tunnels to obscure and shield its ]. Additionally, the Iranian company Arya Machinery, which marketed itself on its website as Iran's exclusive dealer of Caterpillar machinery, had been purchasing Caterpillar equipment from a Caterpillar subsidiary in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Caterpillar moves to cut links with Iran |author=Harvey Morris |newspaper=Financial Times |date=1 March 2010 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75f16576-248a-11df-8be0-00144feab49a.html |page=A1 |access-date=29 March 2010 |archive-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128094627/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75f16576-248a-11df-8be0-00144feab49a.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Caterpillar Prohibits Sales of Equipment Bound for Iran |author=Chip Cummins |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=2 March 2010 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703429304575095430605944518 |page=B2 |access-date=8 August 2017 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110122920/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703429304575095430605944518.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Profiting From Iran, and the U.S. |author=Jo Becker and Ron Nixon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 March 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/06/world/iran-sanctions.html?ref=middleeast |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128094627/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/06/world/iran-sanctions.html?ref=middleeast |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Ingersoll Rand=== ===Ingersoll Rand===


In March 2010, UANI also succeeded in pressuring the U.S. manufacturing corporation ] to stop doing business in Iran. In a letter to United Against Nuclear Iran, Ingersoll Rand CEO Michael Lamach said that effective immediately, the company would order its foreign subsidiaries to cease any dealings with Iran "in light of very real and escalating concerns about the intentions of the current regime in Iran."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ingersoll Bars Units From Sales to Iran |author=Kris Maher and Jay Solomon |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=10 March 2010 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704784904575111782579244988 |page=B1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2 Multinationals Pull Back From Iran |author=Ron Nixon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 March 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/world/middleeast/11iran.html |page=A11}}</ref> At issue was the use of Ingersoll Rand ] used in industrial plants run by the state-owned ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ingersoll says fully disclosed sales to Iran |agency=Reuters |date=3 March 2010 |url=https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/reuters/MTFH46526_2010-03-03_14-30-49_N03213026.htm }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> In March 2010, UANI also succeeded in pressuring the U.S. manufacturing corporation ] to stop doing business in Iran. In a letter to United Against Nuclear Iran, Ingersoll Rand CEO Michael Lamach said that effective immediately, the company would order its foreign subsidiaries to cease any dealings with Iran "in light of very real and escalating concerns about the intentions of the current regime in Iran."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ingersoll Bars Units From Sales to Iran |author=Kris Maher and Jay Solomon |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=10 March 2010 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704784904575111782579244988 |page=B1 |access-date=8 August 2017 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045747/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704784904575111782579244988 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2 Multinationals Pull Back From Iran |author=Ron Nixon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 March 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/world/middleeast/11iran.html |page=A11 |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062800/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/world/middleeast/11iran.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At issue was the use of Ingersoll Rand ] used in industrial plants run by the state-owned ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ingersoll says fully disclosed sales to Iran |agency=Reuters |date=3 March 2010 |url=https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/reuters/MTFH46526_2010-03-03_14-30-49_N03213026.htm |access-date=2020-08-03 |archive-date=2022-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509110749/https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/reuters/MTFH46526_2010-03-03_14-30-49_N03213026.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Cranes Campaign=== ===Cranes Campaign===


In response to the Iranian government's "execution binge" in 2011, UANI launched its "Cranes Campaign" in March 2011 with the goal of pressuring crane manufacturers worldwide to end their business in Iran in order to prevent the use of their equipment in ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran's execution binge |author=Mark Wallace |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/06/opinion/la-oe-wallace-cranes-iran-20110706 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=6 July 2011}}</ref> Through its campaign, UANI has succeeded in pressuring ] (U.S.),<ref>{{cite news |title=Terex Convinces Lobbying Group It Has Stopped Doing Business With Iran |author=Bob Tita |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110324-713337.html |agency=Dow Jones Newswires |date=24 March 2011}}</ref> ] (Japan), ], UNIC (Japan), and ] (Finland) to end their business in Iran. Tadano and UNIC, both of Japan, ended their Iran sales after UANI presented graphic photographic evidence of their cranes being used in public executions in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-13421-execution-evidence-stops-tadano-selling-in-iran/ |title=Execution evidence stops Tadano selling in Iran |author=Stephen White |date=1 August 2011 |publisher=ConstructionWeekOnline.com}}</ref> In response to the Iranian government's "execution binge" in 2011, UANI launched its "Cranes Campaign" in March 2011 with the goal of pressuring crane manufacturers worldwide to end their business in Iran in order to prevent the use of their equipment in ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran's execution binge |author=Mark Wallace |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-xpm-2011-jul-06-la-oe-wallace-cranes-iran-20110706-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=15 August 2024 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725230048/https://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-xpm-2011-jul-06-la-oe-wallace-cranes-iran-20110706-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Through its campaign, UANI has succeeded in pressuring ] (U.S.),<ref>{{cite news |title=Terex Convinces Lobbying Group It Has Stopped Doing Business With Iran |author=Bob Tita |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110324-713337.html |agency=Dow Jones Newswires |date=24 March 2011}}</ref> ] (Japan), ], UNIC (Japan), and ] (Finland) to end their business in Iran. Tadano and UNIC, both of Japan, ended their Iran sales after UANI presented graphic photographic evidence of their cranes being used in public executions in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-13421-execution-evidence-stops-tadano-selling-in-iran/ |title=Execution evidence stops Tadano selling in Iran |author=Stephen White |date=1 August 2011 |publisher=ConstructionWeekOnline.com |access-date=25 October 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003403/http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-13421-execution-evidence-stops-tadano-selling-in-iran/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==State secrets case==
In July 2013, Greek shipping magnate ] brought a defamation lawsuit against UANI for claiming that his companies were "front men for the illicit activities of the Iranian regime." In September of the following year, the United States Government (which was not party to the case) filed a motion asserting its right to intervene in the proceedings and requesting that Restis's complaint be dismissed because "continued litigation would risk disclosure" of sensitive matters pertaining to national security.<ref> Steven Aftergood, Federation o American Scientists, September 15, 2014</ref> On March 23, 2015 the court granted the government's motion for dismissal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url = http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11424037|title = A court case so secret, US Govt says it can't go on|last = Feldman|first = Noah|date = March 29, 2015|work = New Zealand Herald|access-date = March 29, 2015}}</ref> Judge ] cited four previous cases in which a US court had dismissed a lawsuit on the basis of state secrets when the case did not directly involve the government,<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Why-is-the-US-government-intervening-in-defamation-case-against-anti-Iran-group-395014|title = Blocking disclosure in Restis v. UANI: Who's ever heard of national security?|last = Jeremy Bob|first = Yonah|date = March 23, 2015|work = Jerusalem Post|access-date = March 29, 2015}}</ref> but this was the first time in history when the case involved neither the Government itself nor a defense contractor in its employ.<ref name=":0" />

==MINERVA Iranian vessel tracking system==
In June 2013, UANI launched its Maritime Intelligence Network and Rogue Vessel Analysis (MINERVA) system. ''The New York Times'' described this as using "publicly available satellite transmissions from ship transponders, including data on speed, identity, direction and destination, and correlated the information with other navigational data and computer algorithms" to track Iranian vessels potentially violating sanctions. The system then creates "vessel behavior profiles that could identify questionable activities even if the transponders were temporarily turned off." According to UANI, "the system had exposed possible sanctions violations that the group had then publicized, forcing the Iranians or their partners to change plans."<ref name="minerva">{{cite news |date=23 June 2013 |title=Group Keeps Long-Distance Watch on Iran and Possible Sanction Violations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world/middleeast/group-keeps-watch-on-iran-and-possible-sanction-violations.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |page=A15 }}</ref>


==Legislation== ==Legislation==
In October 2009 ] (D) and ] (R) of Florida introduced the ] ''Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act'' (ABC Iran Act) which would preclude companies that conduct business in Iran from receiving U.S. government contracts. The legislation was created to prevent Iranian business partners like ] and ] from receiving large government contracts as well as foreign banks like ] from receiving ]. Representative Klein stated, "We need to send a strong message to corporations that we’re not going to continue to allow them to economically enable the Iranian government to continue to do what they have been doing." Klein credited UANI for assisting with drafting the bill.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Enriches Companies Defying Its Policy on Iran |author=Jo Becker and Ron Nixon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 March 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/world/middleeast/07sanctions.html?pagewanted=all |page=A1}}</ref> The act fell at the end of the 2009 Congressional session.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3922/ |title=H.R.3922 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act |last=Ron |first=Klein |date=2009-10-23 |website=www.congress.gov |language=en |access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref> In October 2009 ] (D) and ] (R) of Florida introduced the ] ''Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act'' (ABC Iran Act) which would preclude companies that conduct business in Iran from receiving U.S. government contracts. The legislation was created to prevent Iranian business partners like ] and ] from receiving large government contracts as well as foreign banks like ] from receiving ]. Representative Klein stated, "We need to send a strong message to corporations that we’re not going to continue to allow them to economically enable the Iranian government to continue to do what they have been doing." Klein credited UANI for assisting with drafting the bill.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Enriches Companies Defying Its Policy on Iran |author=Jo Becker and Ron Nixon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 March 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/world/middleeast/07sanctions.html?pagewanted=all |page=A1 |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915000156/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/world/middleeast/07sanctions.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref> The act fell at the end of the 2009 Congressional session.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3922/ |title=H.R.3922 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act |last=Ron |first=Klein |date=2009-10-23 |website=www.congress.gov |language=en |access-date=2018-02-25 |archive-date=2018-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225210452/https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3922/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Campaigns==
===Hotels campaign===
In the run-up to the September 2009 ] (UNGA), UANI called on ] hotels and venues to refuse to host Iranian President ]. In its boycott campaign, UANI succeeded in having the ] cancel his reservation.<ref>{{cite news |first=Carl |last=Campanile |title=A'jad gets heave-ho from Helmsley Hotel |work=] |date=18 September 2009 |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/jad_gets_heave_ho_from_helmsley_nIJbRjyo9FqI7FhHe5SM3O}}</ref> ], and the ]-owned ]<ref>{{cite news |first=Russell|last=Goldman|title=Iranian President Ahmadinejad Booted From Third New York Hotel |work=] |date=24 September 2009 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranian-president-ahmadinejad-booted-york-hotel/story?id=8664643}}</ref> followed suit.

==Criticism==
Sasan Fayazmanesh, ] professor emeritus of Economics, described UANI as a ] organization.<ref name="FayazmaneshPage102">{{cite book|last=Fayazmanesh|first=Sasan|title=Containing Iran: Obama's Policy of "Tough Diplomacy"|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|pages=101–102|year=2013|isbn=9781443852470|oclc=865743873|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aV4xBwAAQBAJ&pg=101}}</ref> He also stated that a video advertisement created by UANI used mostly false and fabricated news to encourage an urgent reaction to its frightening predictions of a nuclear Iran. The video featured suspenseful music, scary pictures of ], ], the ] and ], mobs demonstrating and burning the ], massive car bombs from ], and ]'s demonstrations against the Iranian government, all mixed with pictures of Iran's nuclear facilities.<ref name="FayazmaneshPage102"/>

In 2013, Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman for Iran's permanent mission to the UN, said the Iranian government considers the activities of UANI "counterproductive and contrary to the policy announced by the new administration in early 2009, which purportedly sought to diplomatically interact with Iran."<ref name="minerva"/> On September 25, 2019, Iran designated the company a terrorist organization.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

During the ] that caused thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths, UANI was pressuring pharmaceutical companies to "end their Iran business." These companies were specifically exempt from sanctions for humanitarian reasons. According to Tyler Cullis, an attorney specializing in sanctions law at Ferrari & Associates: "These groups have sought to impose reputational costs on companies that engage in lawful and legitimate trade with Iran, including humanitarian trade." Despite it being widely reported that existing legal channels for medicinal trade already did not provide a sufficient flow of medicine and other humanitarian goods to Iran, UANI used ] tactics against nine pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device corporations with special licenses that did still follow these channels.<ref>, ''The Intercept''</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
Line 84: Line 92:


==External links== ==External links==
* * {{Official website}}
* {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|262387657}}


{{Iran–United States relations}} {{Iran–United States relations}}

Latest revision as of 20:21, 29 November 2024

Bi-partisan, non-profit advocacy organization in the United States
United Against Nuclear Iran
Formation2008
Type501(c)3 organization
Tax ID no. 26-2387657
CEOMark Wallace
ChairmanJeb Bush
Founding co-chairs
Websitewww.unitedagainstnucleariran.com Edit this at Wikidata

United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a bipartisan, non-profit advocacy organization based in the United States. Its stated objective is to "prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons." Along with other advocacy campaigns, the organization leads efforts to pressure companies to stop doing business with Iran as a means to halt the Iranian government's nuclear program and its alleged development of nuclear weapons.

Leadership

Mark Wallace, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for UN Management and Reform, is founding CEO. Governor Jeb Bush has been chairman since August 2024.

Former Democratic United States Senator from Connecticut Joe Lieberman served as the organization's chairman from 2015 until his death in 2024.

Ambassadors Richard Holbrooke and Dennis Ross were original co-founders and co-chairman, alongside former CIA director James Woolsey, before being appointed to positions in the Obama administration. Ross has since rejoined the advisory board.

Other members of the board, as of September 2024, include Alireza Akhondi, Senator Mark Kirk, Tamir Pardo, John Bolton, Frances Townsend, Sir. Ivor Roberts, Lord Charles Guthrie, Sir. Graeme Lamb, Olli Heinonen, Ray Takeyh, The Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, Irwin Cotler, Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, Dr. Graham Allison, Walter Russell Mead, Robert Hill, Cresencio S. Arcos, Jr., Roger Noriega, Otto Reich, Mark Salter, Stanley Kalms, Baron Kalms, and Matthias Küntzel. August Hanning, former president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) of Germany, is also on the advisory board.

History

2008–09

UANI was founded in 2008 following a chance encounter between Mark Wallace and Richard Holbrooke on a train. It hoped to replicate the Save Darfur Coalition which brought together a wide cross section of society to raise awareness about Iran's nuclear ambitions. Wallace was founding CEO with Holbrooke, along with CIA Director James Woolsey and Ambassadors Dennis Ross serving as founding co chairs. At the start of the Obama administration in 2009, Holbrooke and Ross — along with another advisory board member, Gary Samore — left UANI to take positions at the White House.

In the run-up to the September 2009 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), UANI called on New York City hotels and venues to refuse to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In its boycott campaign, UANI succeeded in having the Helmsley Hotel cancel his reservation. Two other New York hotels, Gotham Hall and the Dubai-owned Essex House, followed suit.

2010–19

In May 2012, UANI formed a transatlantic partnership to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a London-based think tank. In 2013, Gary Samore returned to UANI as its president following service in the Biden administration, and would remain in the role for 2 years. John Bolton served on the UANI's advisory board until 2018 before leaving to join the Trump administration. In 2019 he returned to the organization as a senior advisor.

In June 2013, UANI launched its Maritime Intelligence Network and Rogue Vessel Analysis (MINERVA) system. According to the New York Times, it uses "publicly available satellite transmissions from ship transponders, including data on speed, identity, direction and destination, and correlated the information with other navigational data and computer algorithms" to track Iranian vessels potentially violating sanctions. The system then creates "vessel behavior profiles that could identify questionable activities even if the transponders were temporarily turned off." According to UANI, "the system had exposed possible sanctions violations that the group had then publicized, forcing the Iranians or their partners to change plans."

Also in 2013, Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman for Iran's permanent mission to the UN, said the Iranian government considers the activities of UANI "counterproductive and contrary to the policy announced by the new administration in early 2009, which purportedly sought to diplomatically interact with Iran." In 2013, a pair of trusts associated with Thomas Kaplan and Sheldon and Miriam Adelson's family foundation accounted for more than three-quarters of the group's total revenue of $1.7 million for the 2013 tax year.

In September 2014, the United States Department of Justice intervened in a private lawsuit filed against UANI and requested its dismissal on the ground that the continued litigation of the case would jeopardize US national security. The case was in response to a lawsuit brought by Greek shipping magnate Victor Restis against UANI in July 2013. In response, the United States Government filed a motion asserting its right to intervene in the proceedings and requesting that Restis' complaint be dismissed because "continued litigation would risk disclosure" of sensitive matters pertaining to national security. The government's motion for dismissal was granted by Judge Edgardo Ramos on March 23, 2015, a rare case of state secrets privilege being applied in private civil litigation in which the government was not a party. Four prior cases were cited where a US court dismissed lawsuits on state secrets grounds without direct government involvement, but this was the first time neither the government nor a defense contractors were involved.

In August 2015, Senator Joe Lieberman became chairman of UANI, serving until his death in March 2024. In September 2016, Governor Jeb Bush, a Republican, joined the organization's advisory board alongside Governor Bill Richardson, a Democrat who served as Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton.

On September 24, 2019, the Islamic Republic stated it would include UANI in its list of terrorist organizations. This came following UANI playing a key role in the United States decision to list the IRGC as terrorists and before a UANI summit featuring then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

2020–present

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, UANI used name and shame tactics against nine pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device corporations to "end their Iran business." While the companies were exempt from sanctions for humanitarian reasons, the effort "sought to impose reputational costs on companies that engage in lawful and legitimate trade with Iran, including humanitarian trade" according to Tyler Cullis, a legal fellow at the National Iranian American Council.

In June 2022, UANI identified the VHF Transceiver Two-Way Radio manufactured by Icom Incorporated as being used by Hezbollah, a U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. It sent a letter to Icom outlining its concerns about the dual-use capability of the radios and regarding Icom’s business ties to Power Group (Icom’s representatives in Lebanon) and Faza Gostrar, which claims to be the “Official ICOM representative in Iran.”

In 2022, ATEN International stopped accepting orders from Iran following concerns raised by UANI. In August 2024, UANI announced that Governor Jeb Bush would succeed Lieberman the organization's chairman.

Corporate campaigns

UANI runs the Iran Business Registry (IBR), "a running database of reputable media and academic reports of international corporations doing business in Iran." UANI encourages citizens to use the IBR to increase product awareness, divest, contact businesses as well as elected officials. It also calls on companies to sign a declaration to certify their company does not do business with Iran. The registry was launched in 2009 and more than 500 companies are listed on UANI's IBR page.

General Electric

In September 2009, General Electric (GE) signed UANI's "Iran Business Declaration" to not conduct business with Iran. As part of its pledge, GE will donate profits to charitable organizations from the sale of any humanitarian health care products to Iran.

Huntsman

In January 2010, the American chemical company Huntsman said it would discontinue sales in Iran after coming under pressure from United Against Nuclear Iran. UANI reported that one of Huntsman's subsidiaries was selling polyurethanes in Iran, a dual-use material which UANI said could be used in the development of solid rocket fuel. In a statement, Huntsman said, "The small amount of business done there does not justify the reputational risk currently associated with doing business with entities located in Iran due to growing international concern over the policies of the current regime."

Caterpillar

In response to a UANI pressure campaign, the heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar ceased its business in Iran through its non-U.S. subsidiaries. As part of the campaign, UANI erected a roadside billboard near the company's headquarters in Peoria, Illinois which pictured a Caterpillar digger alongside a picture of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with the slogan "Today's work, Tomorrow's Nuclear Iran."

UANI sought to link the activities of Caterpillar's wholly owned Canadian subsidiary Lovat, a manufacturer of tunnel boring machines, to Iran's alleged construction of tunnels to obscure and shield its nuclear facilities. Additionally, the Iranian company Arya Machinery, which marketed itself on its website as Iran's exclusive dealer of Caterpillar machinery, had been purchasing Caterpillar equipment from a Caterpillar subsidiary in Europe.

Ingersoll Rand

In March 2010, UANI also succeeded in pressuring the U.S. manufacturing corporation Ingersoll Rand to stop doing business in Iran. In a letter to United Against Nuclear Iran, Ingersoll Rand CEO Michael Lamach said that effective immediately, the company would order its foreign subsidiaries to cease any dealings with Iran "in light of very real and escalating concerns about the intentions of the current regime in Iran." At issue was the use of Ingersoll Rand air compressors used in industrial plants run by the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company.

Cranes Campaign

In response to the Iranian government's "execution binge" in 2011, UANI launched its "Cranes Campaign" in March 2011 with the goal of pressuring crane manufacturers worldwide to end their business in Iran in order to prevent the use of their equipment in public executions. Through its campaign, UANI has succeeded in pressuring Terex (U.S.), Tadano (Japan), Liebherr, UNIC (Japan), and Konecranes (Finland) to end their business in Iran. Tadano and UNIC, both of Japan, ended their Iran sales after UANI presented graphic photographic evidence of their cranes being used in public executions in the country.

Legislation

In October 2009 Ron Klein (D) and John Mica (R) of Florida introduced the United States House of Representatives Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act (ABC Iran Act) which would preclude companies that conduct business in Iran from receiving U.S. government contracts. The legislation was created to prevent Iranian business partners like Nokia and Siemens from receiving large government contracts as well as foreign banks like Credit Suisse from receiving federal bailout money. Representative Klein stated, "We need to send a strong message to corporations that we’re not going to continue to allow them to economically enable the Iranian government to continue to do what they have been doing." Klein credited UANI for assisting with drafting the bill. The act fell at the end of the 2009 Congressional session.

See also

References

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