In a recent development, the daughter of a prominent Iranian official has reportedly been dismissed from her teaching role at a prestigious American university following her public criticism of then-President Donald Trump and U.S. involvement in Iranian protests. This incident has sparked considerable attention.
Emory University’s news platform, The Emory Wheel, reported that on January 24, the Dean of the School of Medicine sent an email announcing that Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani was no longer affiliated with the university. Ardeshir-Larijani had held the position of assistant professor in the department of hematology and medical oncology at the institution.
The announcement came in the wake of a protest on January 19, where members of the Iranian-American community gathered outside Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute. They expressed their opposition to the university’s employment of Ardeshir-Larijani, highlighting the contentious nature of her association with the institution.
Ardeshir-Larijani’s online presence at the university has also been affected, with her faculty and healthcare pages no longer accessible on Emory’s website.
This case draws further intrigue due to her familial ties; she is the daughter of Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official and former parliamentary speaker, who was recently seen in Beirut, Lebanon, attending a memorial service for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Ardeshir-Larijani’s Emory faculty page and her Emory Healthcare pages were also no longer visible online.
The nonprofit Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists (AAIRIA) claimed that Ardeshir-Larijani had lived and worked in the U.S. for several years.
The group also cited the professional profile on Emory Healthcare’s official website as showing a listing for a woman called Ardeshir-Larijani who is a U.S.-trained hematologist-oncologist and practicing in Atlanta.
The claims had first drawn attention amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran following the outbreak of protests and reports of deaths during an intense crackdown from Dec. 28.
Trump warned of potential U.S. action in response.
In a Jan. 2 Truth Social post, the president warned that if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters” the U.S. “will come to their rescue,” saying “we are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Trump’s remarks prompted warnings from senior Iranian officials, who said any American interference would cross a “red line.”
Ali Larijani had posted on X that U.S. interference in Iran’s internal affairs would “[destabilize] the entire region” and “[destroy] American interests.”
“The American people must know that Trump is the one who started this adventure,” he wrote, “and they should pay attention to the safety of their soldiers.”
AAIRIA responded by urging U.S. authorities to review the immigration and visa status of Ardeshir-Larijani and her husband.
The group urged officials to determine whether continued residence in the U.S. aligns with U.S. law, national security considerations and principles of accountability and human rights, in a statement shared online.
Larijani’s daughter has reportedly been relieved of her teaching job at Emory University. (Str/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., also called on Emory to dismiss Ardeshir-Larijani and the state’s medical board to revoke her medical license.
Ardeshir-Larijani’s dismissal also arrived two weeks after sanctions had been placed on her father by the Treasury Department, who said that he “is responsible for coordinating the response to the protests on behalf of the Supreme Leader of Iran and has publicly called for Iranian security forces to use force to repress peaceful protesters,” and has publicly defended the regime’s actions.
Ali Larijani has portrayed the U.S. as a hostile power in the past.
A 2018 report by The Washington Times highlighted what critics described as a double standard among Iranian officials whose relatives live or work in Western countries.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security for comment and Emory University for comment.
