National Union for Democracy in Iran

The National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI; is a non-profit, non-partisan political advocacy organization of the Iranian diaspora based in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it promotes the voices of Iranian-Americans who support secular democracy and human rights in Iran. NUFDI is opposed to the Islamic Republic and advocates for democratic regime change in Iran.

WWW nufdiran.org 𝕏 NUFDIran FB NUFDIran YT NUFDIran IG nufdiran IN nufdiran

History

NUFDI was established in 2003 in Los Angeles by Iranian-American dissidents and was later registered as a 501 organization in 2014. Initially volunteer-run, the organization expanded its staffing and policy presence in Washington by the late 2010s.
In 2018, NUFDI drew attention for publicly supporting Iranian protest movements. Spokesperson Bijan Farhoudi stated that the goal of the people was "democracy, freedom, and a secular and modern government."
Following the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, NUFDI supported the movement by organizing rallies, policy briefings, and legal actions. It played a supporting role in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi under the Torture Victim Protection Act.

Mission

NUFDI’s mission is to advocate for a free, democratic, and secular Iran through community engagement and influencing U.S. policy. The organization supports policies that apply diplomatic and economic pressure on the Iranian regime and favors solidarity with Iranian civil society.

Activities

NUFDI organizes policy roundtables, conferences, and public education campaigns. It has hosted forums featuring prominent figures such as Reza Pahlavi and former U.S. diplomats. In 2024, NUFDI supported the bipartisan MAHSA Act, which aimed to sanction human rights abusers in Iran.
NUFDI also engages in legal advocacy, public campaigns for the release of political prisoners, and lobbying for U.S. foreign policy that centers human rights in Iran. Its events include the annual "Iran Conference," which convenes policymakers and activists.

Leadership

NUFDI is led by an executive team and board of directors composed of Iranian-American professionals and dissidents. Its political director is Cameron Khansarinia, who frequently represents the organization in media and policy events. Other notable affiliates include human rights attorney Shahin Milani and former RAND analyst Alireza Nader.

Reception

NUFDI has been praised by segments of the Iranian opposition, including Reza Pahlavi, for its advocacy work in Washington. Critics have accused the organization of having a confrontational approach and aligning with hawkish U.S. foreign policy views. NUFDI has denied claims of political partisanship and describes itself as representing a broad spectrum of pro-democracy Iranian voices.