Mark Wallace

CPAC for Iranians in Exile Statement on CPAC Conference in Dallas, Texas: Applauds CPAC participants strong show of support for President Trump CPAC for Iranians in Exile @CPACIranExile, a coalition partnership between the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), proudly extends its congratulations on a highly successful CPAC gathering in Dallas. This year’s event featured a series of impactful discussions and appearances focused on President Trump’s efforts to counter the threat posed by the Iranian regime—especially and including to the safety and security of the United States homeland. Throughout the conference, Iran-related programming stood out drawing significant engagement from attendees and underscoring the importance of President Trump’s vigilance against a regime that has long targeted Americans, including through terrorism, proxy warfare, and covert activities. Participants emphasized that confronting the Iranian regime is fundamentally about protecting American lives, preventing nuclear escalation, and disrupting networks that could enable attacks on U.S. soil. Notably, polling conducted by CPAC during the conference demonstrated that 9 in 10 of respondents approve President Trump’s military action to remove Iran’s regime leadership in order to halt its nuclear and missile threats, reflecting a strong consensus on the urgency of confronting a regime that poses a direct and growing danger to U.S. national security. On March 26, CPAC Senior Fellow and former White House Director of Strategic Communications Mercedes Schlapp led a powerful panel discussion featuring two courageous Iranian dissidents, Mersedeh Shahinkar and Raheleh Amiri. Both women, who each were blinded in one eye by regime authorities, delivered deeply moving accounts of resilience and resistance. Shahinkar and Amiri said, "They tried to silence us with violence, but our voice for Iran’s freedom only grows stronger.” Having fled Iran to come to America, their testimony served as a stark reminder of the human cost of tyranny and inspired a renewed commitment among attendees to support the Iranian people while also reinforcing the importance of ensuring that such threats never reach American communities. Mercedes Schlapp stated: ““We’ve got to make Iran free again, and we are going to make sure America stands strong by their side.” UANI Advisor and fellow panellist Dr. Hiva Wallace added, “President Trump did this so that our kids don’t have to live with the biggest state sponsor of terror being a nuclear power.” On March 27, UANI CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace participated in a featured “fireside discussion” with Rich Valdes, host of This America, titled “No Nukes for Jihad.” Ambassador Wallace articulated the grave dangers posed by a nuclear-armed Iran and emphasized the necessity of sustained international pressure to prevent the regime from advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities—capabilities that could ultimately be directed at the United States or its allies. Wallace stated: “The longest “Forever War” has been the Iranian regime’s nearly five decades long war against America and the West. It has cost American lives and trillions of dollars. President Trump has taken action to end this war now before the threat from Iran becomes even more dangerous.” On the final day, March 28, CPAC welcomed Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who was received by CPAC for Iranians in Exile Coalition leaders. The Crown Prince reaffirmed his commitment to a free and democratic Iran, declaring that “the future of Iran belongs to its people, not to those who oppress them.” His remarks resonated strongly with the audience and reinforced the message of hope and change. The Crown Prince expressed his support for President Trump’s military action. He urged: “Do not throw this crumbling regime a lifeline…Pave the way for the Iranian people to finish the job.” The presence and participation of Iranians in exile were a defining feature of this year’s conference. CPAC’s engagement with this community clearly resonated, as evidenced by the CPAC straw poll and by the hundreds of Iranian attendees who proudly and vociferously participated in the event’s programming. CPAC for Iranians in Exile remains steadfast in its support for President Trump’s actions to thwart the threat of the Iranian regime and in support of the Iranian people and those in exile who continue to advocate for future for a free Iran.