The son of a former Iranian official, who was the spokesperson during the 1979 U.S. embassy hostage crisis in Tehran, has been living a comfortable life in Los Angeles. Eissa Hashemi, 43, is related to members of Iran’s hardline regime, and some are now calling for his investigation and deportation. The argument hinges on the perceived injustice of these relatives enjoying freedoms in the West while Iran’s government oppresses its citizens.
Alongside Hashemi, immigration officials recently detained the niece and grandniece of Qasem Soleimani, the late Iranian military leader. These relatives also had their green cards revoked. Sheila Nazarian, who escaped Iran in her youth, accused Soleimani’s family of sharing potentially dangerous photos of her on social media, showing her in outfits inappropriate for Iran, like a bikini.
A photo obtained by Fox News Digital shows Hashemi at what the New York Post labeled an “upscale” gym in Los Angeles, where he appeared to ignore a reporter. His mother, Masoumeh Ebtekar, gained notoriety as the “Screaming Mary” because of her role as a spokesperson during the hostage crisis, where over 50 Americans were held for more than a year.
Ebtekar served as Iran’s Vice President for Women and Family Affairs from 2017 to 2021 and was recognized in a 2002 PBS interview as one of the most prominent women in the Islamic world. Meanwhile, Hashemi is based in Los Angeles and works as an adjunct psychology professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
In 2015, his LinkedIn profile indicated he was a doctoral student there. Reports suggest that his wife, Mariam Tamasebi, also listed their Los Angeles home on social media. According to sources, the couple relocated to study abroad after completing their master’s degrees in Iran.
The New York Post highlighted insights from a 2008 interview with Hashemi where he discussed a book his mother wrote, which helped him understand the context of the hostage crisis. He reflected on the students’ actions during that period as meaningful to a significant cause.
Protests against Hashemi have been ongoing, with several petitions on Change.org advocating for his investigation and possible deportation, some of which have been removed. Current petitions still call for a review of Hashemi’s immigration status. Reports indicate he resides in Agoura Hills, Los Angeles County, with his wife, who is also a psychology professor.
Many see the presence of these relatives of Iranian officials in the U.S. as contradictory to the values of freedom and justice. One petition emphasizes the need for U.S. officials to reconsider the visas and permits of those linked to a government involved in human rights abuses, arguing this would reflect America’s stance on human rights.
