Press release – JINSA Decries Limbert State Department Appointment

WASHINGTON–The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs today strongly questioned the appointment of John Limbert to be Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State for Iran.

In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, JINSA executive director Tom Neumann wrote:

WASHINGTON–The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs today strongly questioned the appointment of John Limbert to be Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State for Iran.

In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, JINSA executive director Tom Neumann wrote:

“We strongly question the appointment of John Limbert as deputy assistant secretary of state for Iran. In light of his recent service on the Advisory Council of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), placing him in charge of U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran would dangerously narrow the scope of American options confronting this most serious challenge to American security interests.

“The National Iranian American Council has championed an end the sanctions regime against Iran as well as the dismantling of U.S. democracy promotion efforts there. Such counter-productive and discredited tactics would give the Iranian government additional time to pursue its development of highly enriched uranium and long-range ballistic missiles.

“Recent events serve as further proof that the Iranian government continues to engage in obfuscation and delaying tactics as it pursues a nuclear weapons capability in defiance of the United Nations, the IAEA and the community of nations. This pursuit further destabilizes an already shaky, energy-rich region critical to global security. Furthermore, Iran has not ceased its support for terrorism against the United States and our allies.

“In light of these realities, Madame Secretary, I urge you to reconsider Mr. Limbert’s appointment.”

For further information or to arrange an interview with Tom Neumann, JINSA Executive Director, contact Jim Colbert at 202-667-3900.