### Iranian Influence in the US: New Report Highlights Deep-Rooted Connections

A recent report by researchers at George Washington University reveals concerning information about Iranian operatives in the United States who are funding hate on college campuses and spreading propaganda across the nation. These operatives have even mingled with top American officials, as demonstrated by a striking image of Vice President Kamala Harris with an Iranian-born imam deeply connected to the Tehran regime.

The imam in question, Mohammad Ali Elahi, previously served as the head of the Iranian Navy's political-ideological office in the 1980s. Known for his strong ties to Iran, Elahi has openly praised figures associated with the Islamic Republic, such as Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Hezbollah. The imam met Harris at a vaccination event in Detroit in July 2021, illustrating the extensive reach of Iran's influence in the United States. Elahi's Islamic House of Wisdom has received almost $500,000 from the Alavi Foundation since 2000, a group accused by federal prosecutors of being a front for the Iranian government.

The report also scrutinizes the Alavi Foundation for allegedly channeling about $1.9 million to American universities, including Columbia. These donations have raised red flags due to the organization's history of being linked to the Iranian regime and its efforts to spread Tehran's viewpoint via various entities in the US, including mosques and educational institutions.

Public officials have also been implicated in associating with Elahi despite his known support for Hezbollah and connections to past Iranian presidents. Photos show Elahi with political figures like former Secretary of State John Kerry, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Vice President Harris. These encounters have sparked criticism regarding Democrats' approach toward Iran, suggesting a potentially dangerous misunderstanding of the regime's intentions.

The report underscores a broader, strategic campaign by Iran to influence US public opinion and policy through financial support and networking with academic and social organizations. Sanctions prevent direct operations by groups like the Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly in the US, but the organization still manages to exert influence by organizing trips for American academics to Iran.

As tensions continue to mount, experts warn that Iranian activities within the US could lead to increased extremism and anti-Israel sentiments. Calls for a stronger stance against Iranian propaganda resonate among officials, emphasizing the need for a firm policy to counteract Tehran's efforts to undermine American values and security.