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United against Nuclear Iran (UANI) claims to be "a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons." A program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, UANI's aims include informing "the public about the nature of the Iranian regime"; heightening "awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear-armed Iran poses to the region and the world"; persuading "the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people"; and promoting "efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political, and diplomatic measures." [1]

In January 2010, UANI followed up on earlier initiatives aimed at pressuring companies to stop doing business in Iran by launching the "Iran Disclosure Project," described by UANI as "an initiative to identify publicly-traded companies that have business dealings in Iran and ensure that such companies adequately inform investors of the legal and financial peril associated with such dealings." [2]

The first target of the program was Royal Dutch Shell. UANI sent the company's CEO, Peter Voser, a letter in mid-December 2009 claiming Shell had revealed "only cursory disclosures regarding [its] dealings with Iran, disclosures that certainly provide less information to investors than is required by the U.S. securities laws." The letter warned, "In the event Royal Dutch Shell continues its business operations in Iran and fails to adequately disclose the risks of such business, UANI will pursue appropriate legal action against Royal Dutch Shell, will call on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange to delist Royal Dutch Shell and will assist the many Royal Dutch shareholders who oppose Royal Dutch Shell's activities in Iran." [3]

According to BusinessWeek, a Shell spokesman responded to queries about the UANI letter saying "if there's international agreement on new sanctions, the company will comply." [4]

Ideological Connections

Although UANI strives to communicate a politically centrist position, the group's advisory board, as of January 2010, featured a number of prominent neoconservatives and other hardline rightists, including Fouad Ajami, director of Middle East Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies; Karen Hughes, a former adviser to President George W. Bush; James Woolsey, former CIA director and high-profile neoconservative activist; Henry Sokolski, a hawkish strategic weapons expert; and Mike Gerson, a former spokesperson for President Bush. [5]

UANI's president is Mark Wallace, a former U.S. diplomat at the United Nations, legal adviser to the Department of Homeland Security, and deputy campaign manager for the 2004 reelection campaign of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. The group advertises two original cofounders, both of whom were given high profile posts in the administration of President Barack Obama: Richard Holbrooke and Dennis Ross. [6]

UANI claims to represent a coalition of like-minded advocacy organizations. Coalition members, according to its website, include the American Iranian Democracy Initiative, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, the Iran Task Force, Iran Watch, the Free Muslims Coalition, the Progressive American-Iranian Committee, the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, the Arcadia Foundation, and the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. [7]

Ad Campaign

UANI made headlines in mid-2009 when it began running an ad on cable news channels that pushed the Obama administration to take a tougher line on Iran. The narrator of the 30-second ad, titled "Unclenched Fist," says, "This is Iran. Young, vibrant-a people Americans have no quarrel with. Unfortunately, this is also Iran-radical rulers seeking nuclear weapons, threatening the world. Americans can do something about it. We can put economic pressure on the Iranian regime-pressure to keep them from building a nuclear arsenal. And that will ensure security-for all of us." [8]

The fact that the ad, which represented an implicit criticism of the Obama administration's policy of engagement with Iran, was run by a group that highlights the role of two Obama administration diplomats raised questions among some observers. Wrote Robet Silverstien of Tikun Olam, "I'm shocked that [Dennis] Ross wouldn't have completely dissociated himself from this group considering his government role, and the fact that UANI is advocating a position that not only is dangerous and contrary to current U.S. policy, but mirrors Israel's interests and the goals of its military and intelligence apparatus." [9]

Explaining the ad, UANI's Wallace told Politico, "[Obama] offered an unclenched fist. Now it is up to the Iranian people and regime to extend a reciprocal open hand." He added that the Iranian people should "put pressure on their leadership" in the then- upcoming elections. [10]

UANI's activities also include promoting the work of other organizations advocating a tough line on Iran, pressuring businesses not to work with the country by publishing an "Iran Business Directory" that lists companies doing business in Iran, circulating petitions, and publicizing human rights violations committed by the Iranian government. UANI also publishes a newsletter entitled Eyes on Iran, which provides summaries of news stories focusing on Iran.