Exclusive; Abram Paley: Biden Administration's Focus in 2024 is Countering a Wide Range of Destabilizing Behaviors by the Islamic Republic Worldwide

Abram Paley, Deputy Special Representative of the United States for Iran, elaborated on U.S. policies in confronting the destabilizing actions of the Islamic Republic in 2024 during an exclusive interview with Voice of America on January 4. In the interview, Paley stated that the Biden administration's focus in 2024 is to counter a wide array of Iran's destabilizing behaviors globally and warned that the U.S. government takes the threat of Iran's military cooperation with the Houthis seriously. He mentioned that the U.S. has consistently warned against the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war beyond the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, twelve countries, including the U.S., issued an ultimatum to the Houthis, demanding an end to their illegal attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. These countries also reiterated their commitment to international law and stated that violators would be held accountable. Earlier in the week, the UK issued a similar warning, and reports emerged about potential UK and U.S. involvement in operations against the Houthis in Yemen. When asked if this ultimatum indicates a failure of diplomatic tools, Paley emphasized that the U.S. has condemned the reckless attacks by the Houthis, which pose a constant threat to international trade and waterways. Despite the Houthis claiming these attacks are independent, the U.S. has explicitly highlighted Iran's role in facilitating these attacks by providing intelligence, tactical information, training, and support. Unfortunately, there are no signs of Iran requesting the Houthis to cease their attacks. Therefore, the U.S. has made it clear that all options are on the table to counter the threat posed by the Houthis to the international system. Paley noted that the message regarding the Houthis has likely been informally communicated to the Islamic Republic. He reiterated that the U.S. has publicly and privately urged Iran to refrain from escalating tensions in the region and believes that Iran and its supported groups should not exploit the current situation to exacerbate tensions. The attacks by the Houthis not only threaten international shipping but also contribute to rising commodity prices in the region and globally, making it a broader international issue. When asked about similar messages sent to Iran regarding its proxy groups in Iraq, Paley refrained from discussing specific messages but reiterated that the U.S. has clearly communicated to Iran to avoid regional tensions and that all options remain on the table to protect U.S. citizens and interests in the region. He also highlighted Iran's provision of weapons to the Houthis and its supply of arms, including drones, to Russia in the Ukraine war. Recent reports have suggested Russia's intent to purchase short-range missiles from Iran, which could prolong the conflict in Ukraine. Despite both Iran and Russia being under U.S. and European sanctions, these sanctions do not seem to hinder their cooperation. When asked about the U.S. response, Paley stated that the U.S. has openly condemned Iran's actions in supporting the Houthis and Russia and expressed serious concerns about the expanding military relations between Iran and Russia. The U.S. has made its concerns clear and is employing diplomatic measures and sanctions to counter the transfer of weapons and other assistance from Iran. However, this is just one of the options on the table. The U.S. is currently using other tools, both independently and in collaboration with other countries, to prevent the transfer of arms. The threat posed by Iran's provision of weapons to the Houthis, other regional groups, or Russia is considered very serious, and the U.S. will continue its efforts in this regard throughout the year. The year 2024 in Iran has begun with an increase in executions, and the overall trend of increased executions and suppression of free speech is evident. Dissidents released from prison are being summoned again on various charges and sent back to prison. The Mahsa Law, passed in the U.S. Congress, addresses human rights and targets senior Iranian officials, including Ali Khamenei, for human rights violations. When asked about the U.S. government's actions regarding the human rights situation in Iran and whether it will encourage Congress to implement this bill and assist in defending the rights of Iranians, Paley stated that human rights are a top priority for the Biden administration. He acknowledged the horrific situation for the Iranian people in 2023 and the beginning of 2024 due to the regime's continued brutal repression. The U.S. has worked hard to draw attention to the situation in Iran, even before the tragic death of Mahsa Amini and the subsequent protests. Paley believes the world has awakened to the regime's ongoing attacks on its own people. In 2024, the U.S. will continue its efforts alongside the international community to amplify the voices of the Iranian people and ensure they have unprecedented tools to bypass censorship and connect with the world, including through the internet. The U.S. has various tools to hold the Iranian regime accountable, including sanctions that have drawn the regime's attention. The U.S. has also worked multilaterally to hold the Iranian regime accountable, knowing that they do not appreciate this. The Iranian regime does not want to be seen as regressive on the international stage, especially regarding human rights. Therefore, the U.S. will continue to work on all these fronts. Paley acknowledged that this is an ongoing process and that more needs to be done, but he assured that human rights will be a focus this year. Diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program have largely stalled in 2023. The International Atomic Energy Agency's report indicates that Iran has once again increased the speed and level of uranium enrichment to 60%, and it has advanced its centrifuges to enhance the level of uranium being produced. Following this report, the U.S. and the E3 countries (UK, France, and Germany) issued a statement welcoming continued diplomatic efforts. When asked whether these efforts would be within the framework of the JCPOA or if the JCPOA is completely dead, and whether the U.S. is seeking a formal agreement or any action to prevent Iran's progress in its nuclear program, Paley stated that the U.S. has been very clear about its concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program. He reiterated that the U.S. will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and that all options remain on the table to prevent this. However, he emphasized that diplomacy is still considered the best way to achieve a long-term, sustainable, and effective solution to this issue. Paley expressed that given Iran's current actions and the overall regional tensions, the U.S. is currently distanced from that type of engagement. He noted that Iran has not shown any signs of seriousness in responding to U.S. concerns and those of the international community regarding the advancement of its nuclear program. Therefore, the Biden administration intends to continue focusing on monitoring the regional situation and Iran's involvement in it. The U.S. is now concentrating on a wide range of Iran's destabilizing behaviors, from the brutal repression of human rights to advancing its nuclear program and supporting terrorism and providing weapons to Russia. Essentially, the focus of U.S. policy in 2024 is to counter all these destabilizing activities, but when it comes to the nuclear program, the U.S. continues to demand that Iran demonstrate seriousness in engaging with the International Atomic Energy Agency and be accountable to the international community concerned about Iran's nuclear program.