OPINION SURVEY OF NIAC & TRITA PARSI

Opinion Survey of NIAC & Trita Parsi

In March 2011, the Pro-Democracy Movement of Iran (PDMI) conducted an online survey in order to assess Iranians, Iranian Americans, and Americans attitudes toward NIAC and its president Trita Parsi. It is widely known among the Iranian and Iranian American community that NIAC and its president have been advocating for favorable policies toward the Islamic Republic. This survey was conducted to scientifically and accurately document such prevailing attitudes. It is hoped that this survey will contribute, in a small measure, to increased knowledge among the Iranian-American community on one of the many lobby organizations that on the surface claim to represent the Iranian American community, but in reality they are hard at work to shape the U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic.

This survey was published in preliminary form in July of 2011 with over 1,800 respondents. Due to overwhelming response and interest, they survey remained online through January 2011 to reach the goal of 2,500 participants. The results of the 2012 PDMI survey indicate that ninety five percent (95%) of respondents expressed NIAC did not represent their interests, that NIAC was a lobbyist for the Islamic Republic, and that NIAC has defrauded the federal government and only 4% believed that NIAC was a human rights organization. A large majority of respondents wanted NIAC to disclose its financial documents, membership list and numbers, and be held accountable for its actions.


Trita Parsi, himself, has contributed greatly to the ill feeling and erosion of NIAC's credibility amongst the Iranian-American community by his belligerent, inconsistent and inaccurate statements. Furthermore, NIAC’s internal memos showed that it employed a policy of “cease and desist” against any of its opponents to intimidate them into silence. The extent of negative opinion toward NIAC might also be related to the lack of transparency, prevalent double speak and continuous “shifting of gears” by Trita Parsi, inconsistencies in NIAC’s words and actions, lack of regard for Iranian opinions, NIAC’s denial of its relationship with top level Iranian government and business officials. Click here for the complete Survey.

Click here for the complete report.