An political scientist accused by the of covertly working for while lobbying the U.S. government is blaming the Islamic Republic for roping him into a situation that ultimately threatened to put him behind bars for a decade.
Lotfolah Kaveh Afrasiabi, who was, among other things, an adviser to , says he was misled about the legality of an illicit “consulting” gig by former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, .
In a lawsuit, Afrasiabi alleges that he was deceived into accepting the position after receiving false assurances from Zarif. He names Zarif, the Islamic Republic of Iran, its Mission to the United Nations, and several others as defendants, claiming they exposed him to federal prosecution, leading to severe consequences in his life.
When Afrasiabi was arrested and charged in January 2021, the nation’s top national security prosecutor accused the 67-year-old of presenting himself as a neutral expert on Iran while secretly working for the Government of Iran and the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations. This revelation, according to then-Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers, led to Afrasiabi spreading propaganda on behalf of Iran.
However, Afrasiabi, an Iranian citizen and permanent U.S. resident since 1985, asserts in his lawsuit that he would not have taken the position if he had not been misled and negligently assured that it was a United Nations authorized role.
Afrasiabi places the blame on Zarif, Iranian diplomat Gholamali Khoshroo, and mission functionaries for the detrimental impact on his life, including arrest, incarceration, prosecution, house arrest, defamation, job loss, and damage to his reputation and career.
Afrasiabi’s attorney, William Keefe, refrained from commenting on the record as they aim to resolve the matter with the Iranian defendants. Afrasiabi was not made available for an interview.
The Iranian Mission to the UN in New York City did not respond to requests for comment, and an email to Zarif went unanswered.
Afrasiabi’s lawsuit, filed on Feb. 26, reveals his longstanding relationship with Iran’s UN Mission since 1990. This connection led to various opportunities, including collaborations with prominent figures and involvement in international events.
In 2007, Zarif approached Afrasiabi about a consulting role with Iran’s Mission to the UN, assuring him of its legality under UN guidelines. Over the next fifteen years, Afrasiabi received monthly compensation from Iran, aimed at fostering peaceful relations between the two nations.
Despite depositing Iranian checks into his personal account and participating in UN meetings, Afrasiabi was arrested in January 2021 for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The subsequent legal battle and public scrutiny took a toll on Afrasiabi’s life and reputation.
After being released on bail and placed under home confinement, Afrasiabi filed a lawsuit seeking $50 million in damages for negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent hiring, fraudulent contract renewal, and emotional distress. He alleges that he was misled by Iranian officials, including Zarif, and demands compensation for the damages incurred.
The Iranian government is yet to respond to Afrasiabi’s claims in court.