Emory fires Iranian official's daughter after campus protests over controversial hiring decision
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The daughter of a prominent Iranian official, noted for her open criticism of former President Donald Trump and U.S. actions in Iran’s internal matters, has reportedly been dismissed from her academic position at a leading American institution.

According to The Emory Wheel, the official news source for Emory University, an email from the Dean of the School of Medicine revealed on January 24 that Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani is no longer employed by the university.

Ardeshir-Larijani had held the position of assistant professor within the department of hematology and medical oncology at Emory’s School of Medicine.

The decision to terminate her employment came in the wake of a protest on January 19. On that day, Iranian-American demonstrators assembled outside the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, voicing their opposition to the university’s association with Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani.

Ali Larijani stands at podium in Lebanon

Her father, Ali Larijani, a well-known Iranian political figure and former speaker of the parliament, was recently in the public eye during a visit to Beirut, Lebanon, on September 27, 2025, where he attended a memorial for the 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.

Ali Larijani

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.

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