Former UK Ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton Joins the AIC Board

02/10/14

Princeton, NJ, February 10, 2014 - The American Iranian Council is pleased to welcome Ambassador Richard Dalton to its Board of Directors.

Sir Richard Dalton is an Associate Fellow of the Middle East Programme of Chatham House. A British career diplomat from 1970 to 2006, he gained early experience in Lebanon, Jordan and Oman. From 1991-1992 he was a visiting research fellow at Chatham House and published a study on the regional security architecture of the Persian Gulf region. He was responsible for dealing with the Palestinian Authority after the Oslo Accords as Consul General in Jerusalem from 1993-1997. He returned to London as Director of Personnel at the Foreign Office in 1998. In 1999, he re-established UK diplomatic relations with Libya as the first UK Ambassador to Tripoli in 17 years. In 2002, Sir Richard was appointed Ambassador to Iran. He played a crucial role in European efforts to negotiate with Iran, including the 2003-2006 diplomatic initiatives to prevent the development of an Iranian military nuclear capability. In late 2008, he co-wrote the Chatham House Middle East Programme report, “Iran: Breaking the Nuclear Deadlock.” From 2011 to date he has chaired Chatham House’s Roundtable on Libya.

"I believe that Iran's reintegration in the global community will help reduce tensions in the Middle East and serve world peace,” said Ambassador Dalton. “The AIC is helping forge cross-Atlantic cooperation on Iran's engagement with the West, the US and the UK. I am excited to be joining the Council at such a pivotal moment and helping to forge the partnership."

Noting this important development at the AIC, Professor Hooshang Amirahmadi, Founder and President of the Council, said “Sir Richard Dalton brings a treasure of understanding and skill in diplomacy that is valued in US-Iran and UK Iran relations at this historic moment in their positive engagement. The Council is privileged to have him on its side during this promising time.”

About: The AIC is a 501(c) (3) tax-deductible organization headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. The Council pioneered the push for normalization of relations between the United States and Iran over two decades ago. The Council’s achievements remain unsurpassed. To cite just one example, Secretary Madeleine Albright delivered her historic speech on Iran at an AIC event, when she expressed regret about past US policy mistakes (including the 1953 coup), lifted sanctions on carpets and food items, and offered Iran a global settlement. Years later, Iran's President Mohammad Khatami would characterize this event as a "missed opportunity."

American Iranian Council
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