Divorce Battle of Iranian Heiress Takes a Bitter Turn
An Iranian heiress, Setareh “Star” Brar, is in the midst of a contentious divorce from her husband, Dr. Ryan Aronin, with proceedings over a staggering $200 million at stake. New court documents reveal that she secretly signed away her control of a company, allegedly to prevent any claims on its cash.
Brar, whose father was a notable real estate mogul connected to Iran’s last monarch, surrendered her rights to Star Pacific Properties just after the couple’s split. This property management firm is estimated to hold assets exceeding $15 million and is currently managed by her brother, Sean Brall.
According to the documents, Dr. Aronin claims that Brar took strategic actions to diminish her financial standing and limit access to funds. It highlights that her brother purportedly holds “no ownership interest” in the firm.
A transfer document shows that Brar shifted management rights to her younger brother on October 15, 2024. There’s a disagreement on the timeline of their separation; Dr. Aronin asserts they split in March 2022, while Brar insists it was April 2024.
Star Pacific operates two commercial properties in the Los Angeles area, with tenants like Starbucks and Panda Express. These tenants generate substantial annual revenue.
Recently, Dr. Aronin retracted a previous statement in his motion to keep the divorce proceedings on schedule, countering Brar’s request for a delay until September.
The central focus of the divorce revolves around the Brar family’s SYB Family Trust, valued at around $200 million. Founded in 1979 by the father of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the trust was established after he fled Iran post-revolution to build an empire in Los Angeles.
Dr. Aronin’s court filings suggest Brar obscured her income and relinquished trust access to avoid financial obligations during the divorce. It’s noted in the documents that she “voluntarily relinquished her responsibility” concerning the trust to evade being accountable for its discretionary distributions.
Furthermore, Aronin claims Brar continues to benefit from rental income associated with the trust. Notably, it came to light that she advertised a lease on trust property for about $4,950 monthly.
Brar’s social media reveals insights into her lifestyle, flaunting a luxurious apartment near UCLA and seeking tenants with a caption that playfully suggests a need for “good tenants.”
The couple tied the knot in 2014 and enjoyed a lavish life, often seen at high-profile events in exclusive parts of Los Angeles. They lived in a $6 million Beverly Hills home, financed by the trust, alongside their two children.
But their relationship has soured significantly, as evidenced by a heated exchange of text messages where Brar allegedly stated that “people treat their dogs better than you treat me.”
Surveillance images included in court documents appear to show Brar throwing some of Aronin’s clothing off the balcony of their upscale home. Dr. Aronin estimates that his estranged wife holds a net worth of at least $19 million and could earn upwards of $700,000 annually from trust interest alone.
His annual salary at UCLA is cited as $190,000, and he has reportedly spent over $290,000 on legal fees related to the divorce.
Brar’s request to delay upcoming court hearings until September was denied. Both parties are expected to continue their legal battle in a Los Angeles courtroom in June. Attempts to reach Brar for comment went unanswered.
