Bill Clinton's foundation staff asked Hillary's State Department for permission to speak to group that wants to end ALL sanctions against Iran

  • Former president's staff sought approval from his wife's State Department to deliver paid speech to pro-Iran group at fund-raiser in Washington
  • Speech to the National Iranian American Council never occurred, but permission was sought as the State Department had opened top-secret talks that eventually led to current nuclear arms agreement
  • Clinton foundation had previously sought permission for paid speeches in North Korea, Africa 

By J. Taylor Rushing, U.s. Political Reporter For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:44 EST, 15 September 2015 | Updated: 22:32 EST, 15 September 2015

 A top aide to Bill Clinton asked the State Department in 2012 - while his wife was secretary of state - to clear permission before giving a paid speech to a pro-Iranian group in the United States. 

The email from Bill Clinton's New York-based foundation was obtained by Fox News after being initially published by the Republican-leaning group Citizens United. 

The note appears to be part of a vetting process into the sensitivities of a potential Bill Clinton speech.

But it came just as Hillary Clinton was launching top-secret talks with the Iranian government that eventually led to the nuclear arms agreement with the Mideast country.

Former president Bill Clinton, pictured here at a remembrance ceremony marking the 10th anniversity of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, has used his New York-based foundation to promote peace and end poverty, although he also gives paid speeches

Former president Bill Clinton, pictured here at a remembrance ceremony marking the 10th anniversity of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, has used his New York-based foundation to promote peace and end poverty, although he also gives paid speeches

Clinton aide Ami Desai used the email to feel out the State Department's response to a Bill Clinton speech to the group while it was holding a fundraising event in Washington D.C.

The email was de-classified by the State Department last month.

"Would USG have any concerns about WJC doing a paid speech for [the] National Iranian American Council ('NIAC')?' Desai wrote on June 4, 2012.

'We have been approached by the National Iranian American Council ('NIAC') for President Clinton to speak at a fundraising gala they are putting on.'

The email goes to explain that the NIAC is trying 'to educate and encourage the Iranian-American community to get involved in the civic process,' and emphasizes that the event is unprecedented and the group is non-profit and non-partisan.

Tuesday's release of a 2012 email from Bill Clinton's office to the State Department comes as Hillary Clinton is busy fending off allegations of wrongdoing from congressional Republicans for using private email while secretary of state.

Tuesday's release of a 2012 email from Bill Clinton's office to the State Department comes as Hillary Clinton is busy fending off allegations of wrongdoing from congressional Republicans for using private email while secretary of state.

Bill Clinton's foundation staffers have previously sought State Department permission for the former president to give paid speeches in North Korea and Africa

Bill Clinton's foundation staffers have previously sought State Department permission for the former president to give paid speeches in North Korea and Africa

However, the exchange came at a particularly critical time for Hillary Clinton, who at the time was desperately trying to lay the groundwork for Iranian leaders in Tehran to start considering an arms control agreement instead of saber-rattling.

The email's public release these days isn't much better for Hillary Clinton, who finds herself engulfed in a never-ending spiral of controversy because she used a private, home-based email server while secretary of state.

Clinton has denied wrongdoing, although congressional Republicans and federal investigators are still looking into whether classified information was compromised through the practice.

Citizens United obtained the email about the 2012 speech through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The State Department has been deluged with such requests after news broke earlier this year about Clinton's private server.

Fox News and other media companies have previously published emails from Bill Clinton's office to the State Department during similar vetting procedures potential speeches in North Korea and Africa. 

 

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