The mission of the AIC provides for a sustainable dialogue and a more comprehensive understanding of US-Iran relations. The AIC organizes and promotes the Iranian-American community and encourages its participation in the efforts for a more democratic, transparent, mutually respectful, and sustainable relationship between the two countries. The AIC also promotes the conditions for the development of Iran through increased national dialogue, charitable works, and international exchange. The AIC is to be a catalyst for positive change in the relationship between the United States and Iran through bringing each of these two great countries together by promoting truth, understanding and dialogue, especially with respect to those values held in common by both governments and peoples. Our mission is to help overcome many of the key misunderstandings, misperceptions and mischaracterizations that exist in this relationship. Our mission is to help those who believe that our two countries have a bright future, one in which the governments and peoples can learn, share and grow with one another.

It is the vision of the AIC that the United States and Iran should and will work together, as their common interests far outweigh their differences. The AIC believes that the United States and Iran will eventually come to appreciate what they have in common, what they have to offer one another, what they can gain from greater appreciation and respect for one other. All countries have committed actions that, in retrospect, are not always in their best interest or are not without ethical issue. It is as impossible for a country to be perfect as it is for a person to be so. It is possible, however, for a country to hold itself to a high standard, to try to do better, and to learn from past errors. The relationship between two countries, much like that between two people, will sometimes require the parties to acknowledge past errors or grievances and, with that appreciation, move forward. The United States and Iran not only have shared interests, but they also have an ethical obligation to work together for the betterment of both governments and their peoples.

Key to the mission of the AIC are the core values of truth, understanding and dialogue. These values demonstrate the importance that the AIC places upon the communication between willing partners. Although we understand that good communications does not guarantee improvements in a relationship and that many other values cannot simply be ignored, we do believe that without honest, open and direct communications a relationship cannot develop and move forward. Another value is that of participation. A good relationship must also involve those interested in the relationship to actively participate in helping improve that relationship. Personal participation helps one to understand obstacles, challenges and opportunities. Personal participation helps one to understand that a good relationship does not come without hard work and hope.

Although the AIC is guided by its core values – (i.) truth, (ii.) understanding, (iii.) dialogue and (iv.) participation – for an organization to promote and protect those values, they must be turned into more specific principles.  The AIC believes in intellectual and practical rigor, a free and open and nonpartisan inquiry, full accountability and transparency, fair and balanced treatment of issues, the enhancement of a public-service ethic, broad participation of those who wish to be involved, and the promotion of common ground and mutual interests.  With these values and beliefs in mind, it is possible to identify four general and guiding principles:

The AIC implements its mission through five basic programs that are based upon the values of truth, understanding, dialogue and participation; these programs are: