The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Aug. 24 that they are sanctioning the Washington, D.C.-based think-tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) over their criticisms of the regime.
According to the state-run Mehr News Agency, the ministry is accusing the FDD of promulgating “economic terrorism” through their critiques of the Iranian regime and singled out the think-tank’s CEO, Mark Dubowitz.
“Taking any actions by the judicial and security apparatuses against the FDD and their Iranian and non-Iranian accomplices will be considered legitimate as their actions are against Iran’s national security and the interests of Iranian people and government,” the Mehr News report states.
The FDD responded in a statement that they consider Iran’s sanctions “a badge of honor” and will continue their work against the Iranian regime.
“The Islamic Republic, which has occupied the great nation of Iran for four decades, continues to brutally repress the peoples of Iran, stealing their wealth and creating destruction and chaos in the Middle East,” the think-tank’s statement read. “FDD considers its inclusion on any list put out by the regime as a badge of honor and looks forward to the day when Americans and others can visit a free and democratic Iran.”
(1/3) “FDD conducts independent research and analysis on national security issues. The Islamic Republic prohibits such freedoms at home, and would like to do so abroad as well.
— FDD (@FDD) August 24, 2019
(2/3) “The Islamic Republic, which has occupied the great nation of Iran for four decades, continues to brutally repress the peoples of Iran, stealing their wealth and creating destruction and chaos in the Middle East.
— FDD (@FDD) August 24, 2019
(3/3) “FDD considers its inclusion on any list put out by the regime as a badge of honor and looks forward to the day when Americans and others can visit a free and democratic Iran.”
— FDD (@FDD) August 24, 2019
Dubowitz tweeted, “Remember: it’s not ‘Iran’ or the ‘Iranian regime’ because there’s nothing Iranian about this odious regime. It’s the Islamic Republic & its regime that illegally occupies & brutalizes the great nation of Iran.”
This weekend, the regime in Iran threatened FDD and me. Remember: it’s not “Iran” or the “Iranian regime” because there’s nothing Iranian about this odious regime. It’s the Islamic Republic & its regime that illegally occupies & brutalizes the great nation of Iran.
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) August 26, 2019
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus tweeted, “The outlaw regime in Iran issued a threat today against @FDD, an American think tank, and its CEO. The U.S. takes the regime’s threats seriously. We intend to hold Iran responsible for directly or indirectly compromising the safety of any American.”
The outlaw regime in Iran issued a threat today against @FDD, an American think tank, and its CEO. The U.S. takes the regime’s threats seriously. We intend to hold Iran responsible for directly or indirectly compromising the safety of any American.
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) August 25, 2019
Many across the political spectrum tweeted in solidarity with FDD:
Simon Wiesenthal Center in full solidarity with @FDD and @mdubowitz – His crime? – exposing thuggery of Iranian regime https://t.co/yanR55BWDf
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) August 26, 2019
Whether you agree or disagree with @FDD on Iran (I do both) or anything else, this kind of thuggish threat of violence against an American institution and those who work with it is unacceptable. Anyone who has access to Iranian officials needs to communicate that. https://t.co/pbNgUPFIkq
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) August 24, 2019
For those surprised that Iran’s regime is now directly threatening @FDD, don’t be. It follows a pattern for these terrorists. From assassinations in Europe to the Fatwa against Salman Rushdie, it fits a pattern. Iran’s leaders are rogues and criminals. Treat them as such.
— Eli Lake (@EliLake) August 25, 2019
The outlaws who rule Iran have sunk to issuing threats against Washington think tanks and private American citizens. @FDD, its leaders, and its scholars have our country’s full support. https://t.co/P9JeFBKylV
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) August 25, 2019
The FDD was founded in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks and focuses on research and policy proscriptions toward “strengthening U.S. national security and reducing or eliminating threats posed by adversaries and enemies of the United States and other free nations,” according to the think-tank’s website.