The daughter of a significant figure in the Iranian regime has faced backlash after being expelled from Emory University, and she’ll now be permanently removed from the United States.
Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, whose father served as a high-level official in Tehran, was let go from her role at the renowned institution in Atlanta due to increasing outrage over her family’s connections to the government.
She was an assistant professor at Emory’s esteemed Winship Cancer Institute, which has earned a reputation for cutting-edge cancer research.
The uproar surrounding Ardeshir-Larijani raised concerns among critics about how someone with deep ties to Iran’s leadership could hold a position at a respected U.S. research facility.
Members of Congress quickly took notice, including Congressman Buddy Carter, who formally urged her departure, reasoning that U.S. institutions shouldn’t provide refuge for those linked to hostile regimes. He also pointed out that her presence could pose a national security threat.
Although the pressure to expel her was effective, it wasn’t just a one-off event.
Earlier this month, her legal status in the U.S. was revoked, part of an ongoing initiative targeting foreign nationals with connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Iran’s leadership. This move has been confirmed by the State Department.
Both she and her husband, Seyed Qalantar Motamedi, have left the country and are now barred from returning.
This situation reflects a larger trend of intensifying actions against individuals with affiliations to Iran’s ruling elite, particularly those within influential American institutions. Officials underscore that the U.S. will not recognize anyone who supports or is linked to an anti-American regime.
Winship Cancer Institute is one of Emory’s top medical research venues and is known for its advanced cancer treatments.
Her case highlights the increasing scrutiny American universities apply regarding foreign connections, especially with nations viewed as adversarial. It raises questions about the reputational risks associated with hiring individuals from controversial backgrounds, regardless of their professional expertise.
In a related event, Hamide Soleimani Afshar, a relative of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, alongside his daughter, has been apprehended in Los Angeles.
Currently, they are held by ICE and are awaiting deportation, while Afshar’s husband is also prohibited from entering the U.S.
The State Department claims Soleimani Afshar has engaged in public promotion of Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated U.S. military actions, and expressed support for the Revolutionary Guards while living a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles.
