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For Immediate Release
April, 13 2018, 12:00am EDT
Contact:
Email:,mmostatabi@niacouncil.org
NIAC Statement on Syria Strikes
National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Research Director Reza Marashi released the following statement:
"The situation in Syria is tremendously dangerous, and President Trump risks throwing fuel on the regional fire. Given that Iranian and Russian forces are closely embedded with Syrian government, there is a significant risk that any strikes will trigger retaliation and a bloodier, wider war with few discernible ways to deescalate the conflict.
WASHINGTON
National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Research Director Reza Marashi released the following statement:
"The situation in Syria is tremendously dangerous, and President Trump risks throwing fuel on the regional fire. Given that Iranian and Russian forces are closely embedded with Syrian government, there is a significant risk that any strikes will trigger retaliation and a bloodier, wider war with few discernible ways to deescalate the conflict.
"The American people do not want to start new wars. There is no Congressional authorization or UN Security Council resolution for such an action. Upholding the important principle that there is no place in this world for chemical weapons must not come at the expense of ignoring the principles of the Constitution and the United Nations.
"A large part of the reason that Syria is in ruins today is because nearly all actors have pursued military solutions instead of diplomacy aimed at halting the bloodshed. An eye for an eye approach will not bring justice or peace to Syria, and there is no moral high ground for those who respond to abhorrent violence with more violence.
"Just as the United States should abstain from reckless escalation, Assad's primary backers in Russia and Iran have a duty to rein in their patron. This is particularly true for Iran, one of the biggest victims of chemical warfare, which should exert real pressure to halt the butchery of the Syrian people via both chemical and conventional weapons."
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 2002 to give voice to the Iranian-American community. From being the trusted voice on U.S.- Iran relations, to pushing forth legislation that protects individuals of Iranian heritage from systematic discrimination, to celebrating our cultural heritage, NIAC creates a lasting impact in the lives of the members of our community.
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