Raisi Says Iran Keen On More Cooperation With US Shiite Community

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed the Iranian government's preparedness to expand collaboration with the US Shiite community.

During his visit to New York for the 78th United Nations General Assembly, he said the Islamic Republic is ready to boost such cooperation in areas like social services, healthcare, and culture.

Raisi made the remarks while meeting with a delegation of Shiite community members, stressing the importance of nurturing Shiite culture in the United States.

The move comes as some critics have alleged that the Iranian regime uses mosques and Islamic centers to promote its propaganda and hostility towards those who oppose the Iranian government.

Recently, a group of Republican members of Congress sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, alerting them to the influence of Iran's extremist ideology in several US-based mosques and centers.

The letter also raised concerns about the promotion of hatred by Iran's leadership within these mosques and cultural centers. It called on the US government to recognize and address the threat posed by state-sponsored terrorism, whether abroad or domestically.

Earlier this month, Omid Nouripour, leader of Germany's Green Party, called for the closure of the Islamic Center in Hamburg, which he referred to as a "spy nest." He accused regime officials of using this network for espionage activities targeting both the German population and Iranians seeking refuge in Germany.

Additionally, in August, the UK Charity Commission initiated an investigation into an Iran-linked British foundation called Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust. This foundation has hosted hardline Islamic clerics and paramilitary figures while promoting the propaganda of the Islamic Republic's regime among Shia Muslim youth in the UK.