NO on-site registration.
About the Event – MEMBER-ONLY EVENT
6:00 pm – Registration & Networking
6:30 – 7:30 pm – Program
For years, Ambassador Seyed Hossein Mousavian served as relative moderate within the Iranian government, at times at odds with the hard-line and dogmatic forces that have often dictated the direction of the nation.
He held senior diplomatic positions during the presidency of Rafsanjani (considered by many to be Iran’s most pragmatic president in history, notably working to improve relations with Arab nations in the region and the U.S.), such as: Iran’s Ambassador to Germany – perhaps the most important nation for Iran in Europe.
As a key ally of former President Khatami (who is often regarded as the most moderate or reformist president in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran), Mousavian was appointed: Spokesman for Iran in its nuclear negotiations with the international community – and later held leadership roles in the Iran’s National Security Council.
After the election of the combative, isolationist and polarizing President Ahmadinejad, Mousavian and other relative moderates were arrested. In light of his time working in and negotiating with the West, it was perhaps ironic, but not surprising, that Ahmadinejad accused him of being a ’spy’ and collaborating with the West.
Eventually, he had to flee Iran to live in the U.S.; and later, Mousavian was cleared of the charges. But, he did not feel safe returning to Iran, until Ahmadinejad was out of office (& in 2017 Ahmadinejad was convicted as part of a $2 Billion corruption scandal).
From serving at the highest levels of the Iranian government to being the target of and having to flee the hard-liners who dominate the regime, Ambassador Mousavian has deep and unique experience with the government of Iran and how it negotiates with the West.
Ambassador Mousavian will discuss the ongoing war between the U.S.& Israel and Iran, and in particular, if the current leadership might now be even more extreme and inflexible, following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and many other senior Iranian leaders.
He will also address what are possible outcomes of the war for Iran, the region and beyond – and if any viable and lasting agreements between Iran and the U.S. might be possible.
