UANI Statement on Unprecedented Success of CPAC, the First-Ever Display of a Shahed-136 Iranian Drone, and the Historic Announcement of “CPAC for Iranians in Exile”

UANI Applauds President Trump and His Administration for the Reimposition of the “Maximum Pressure” Campaign and for Standing with the Iranian People 

Calls for End to Divisiveness and Hate Across the Iranian Diaspora 

(New York, NY) – United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Chairman Governor Jeb Bush and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement today:

“We applaud the great success of this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). We congratulate the CPAC team for a groundbreaking and historic conference.

“At CPAC, UANI was delighted to unveil and display an Iranian regime Shahed-136 drone for the first time ever in public. The Shahed drone is a terror weapon of mass destruction, responsible for the murder and maiming of scores of citizens from around the world, including American servicemembers.”

“UANI CEO Ambassador Wallace and CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp unveiled the Shahed-136 drone onstage on Thursday, February 20. After the unveiling, the Shahed drone became the focus of diplomats, visitors, and the international press.

CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp and UANI CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace unveiling a Shahed-136 drone at CPAC on Thursday, February 20

“On Friday, February 21, Chairman Schlapp and Ambassador Wallace announced the planning and development of the first ever “CPAC for Iranians in Exile.” With the commitment and steadfast resolve of President Trump to reimpose “maximum pressure” and to prevent a nuclear Iran, this is a defining opportunity for the Iranian people in their courageous fight to end the despotic rule of the Ayatollah and his cronies. For more than 46 years, the Iranian regime has oppressed the great people of Iran and sought to eradicate the country’s beautiful history, culture, and identity.

CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp and UANI CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace Announce Formation of CPAC for Iranians in Exile on Friday, February 21

“The diverse Iranian diaspora will have a unique opportunity to gather, discuss, and engage with each other, with policy leaders, and with administration figures under one roof and with a commitment to civility and collegiality to each other. All of us are committed to see the end of the Ayatollah’s totalitarian Islamist dictatorship. 

“The sad reality is, that in the past 46 years, the Iranian regime has conspired systematically to drive hatred, to exploit differences, and fissures within the diverse tapestry that is the Iranian diaspora. The Ayatollah’s regime fears the day when the diverse Iranian diaspora unites against the regime even while maintaining their differences and diverse political beliefs. “CPAC for Iranians in Exile” will provide that event hall to all Iranians across the diaspora to show their commitment to end the Ayatollah’s rule. 

“The civil and collegial discussion amongst Iranian diaspora members of diverse views, backgrounds, and heritage is the Ayatollah’s greatest fear. We believe that the “CPAC for Iranians in Exile” marks the beginning of a new era where the diaspora can lay down their regime-driven hostility to each other, and gather, meet, and talk and – under the guiding principle that we all share – end the Ayatollah’s despotic rule. 

“For far too long the visceral hatred and differences within the Iranian diaspora driven by the Islamic Republic’s cyber army and its pawns online have prevented Iranians from gathering to discuss and engage with their differences and with key U.S. policymakers and administration figures united against the Ayatollah. 

“"CPAC for Iranians in Exile” hopes to mark an end of the old way of divisiveness and cancel culture within the Iranian diaspora that regrettably seems to dominate certain groups. Those who for decades have sat on the sidelines nurturing division and repressing the voices of freedom loving Iranians are contributing to the longevity of the Islamic Republic and are an insult to the many brave Iranians inside Iran that have faced murder, torture, and imprisonment in their quest for freedom.

Stay tuned as UANI and CPAC will make further detailed announcements about the “CPAC for Iranians in Exile.”

The guiding principles of the “CPAC for Iranians in Exile” are:

1. To provide a platform of discussion and engagement under one roof for the diverse diaspora to debate and engage with civility and respect;
2. To provide a platform of discussion and engagement with U.S. policymakers and administration figures;
3. To provide a platform for all Iranian peoples that are opposed to the Ayatollah’s regime and that stand for Iran’s free and democratic future unshackled from perverse Islamist ideology;
4. To provide a platform that respects the great history of Iran, its borders, and its territorial integrity;
5. To provide a platform that respects in absolute terms that it will be the Iranian people – as it is their fundamental right – to choose their future, their government, and leadership after the demise of the Ayatollah’s despotic rule;
6. “CPAC for Iranians in Exile” will be guided by a principle of absolute respect for all those diverse groups within the Iranian diaspora, ensuring their treatment with dignity and civility.