We ask that you launch an investigation into any and all lobbying activities of Iranian-American groups,...We also ask that you launch an inquiry into the Voice of America’s Persian service, ....There have been numerous instances of editorials by the VOA’s Persian service that have been lenient or favorable to Iran’s clerical despots. We consider this to be totally unacceptable and demoralizing for pro-democracy Iranians who watch these broadcasts.

From here:

The Honorable Bob Corker
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate

The Honorable Ed Royce
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives

 

With the presidential transition now complete, the time has come for a complete reassessment of U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Americans of Iranian heritage and Iranian dissidents, we see such a rethink as a necessary first step in realizing President Donald Trump’s vision of putting America’s national security interests first.

Specifically, we write to request a congressional hearing on the efforts of Tehran’s theocratic regime to influence U.S. policy and public diplomacy toward Iran. We ask that you launch an investigation into any and all lobbying activities of Iranian-American groups, which ostensibly promote the interests of our community but whose real goal is to undermine long-term U.S. national-security interests in Iran and its neighborhood.

We also ask that you launch an inquiry into the Voice of America’s Persian service, whose bloated budget is the largest of all language services under the VOA. There have been numerous instances of editorials by the VOA’s Persian service that have been lenient or favorable to Iran’s clerical despots. We consider this to be totally unacceptable and demoralizing for pro-democracy Iranians who watch these broadcasts.

We stand ready to provide any and all support that you and your colleagues may require for such hearings. We appreciate your attention to this important matter.

 

Sincerely,