What is the FDD, the pro-Israel think tank shaping Trump’s Iran policy?
Summary
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a pro-Israel think tank, has influenced President Donald Trump’s policy on Iran, including his team negotiating with Iran. The FDD opposes the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and advocates a tougher approach toward Iran, with a former FDD official recently joining Trump’s Iran negotiation team.Key Facts
- The FDD is a pro-Israel think tank that opposes the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
- Iran’s uranium enrichment increased after President Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018.
- The FDD’s experts regularly appear on US news networks and provide reports to Congress and the White House.
- The group claims it does not take funding from foreign governments.
- Nick Stewart, formerly a senior official at FDD’s lobbying branch, joined President Trump’s Iran negotiating team.
- FDD Action spent $150,000 lobbying the US government in early 2025 on issues including Iran sanctions and US-Israel defense ties.
- FDD originated in 2001 to improve Israel’s image in North America during the second Palestinian Intifada.
- The appointment of a former lobbyist from FDD to the negotiation team has raised concerns about US independence in dealing with Iran.
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