The firing of an assistant professor at Emory University, tied to Iran’s ruling elite, followed campus protests and mounting political pressure after a controversial hiring decision drew national attention. University officials confirmed Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani was no longer employed after demonstrations opposing her role at Emory’s medical school.
According to The Emory Wheel, the School of Medicine dean informed faculty in a Jan. 24 email that Ardeshir-Larijani had been dismissed. The Emory firing came days after Iranian-American protesters gathered outside Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute on Jan. 19 to oppose her employment. Ardeshir-Larijani served as an assistant professor in hematology and medical oncology. Her faculty and healthcare profiles were later removed from university websites.
The controversy centered on her family ties. Ardeshir-Larijani is the daughter of Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official recently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. Treasury officials said 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.”
Tensions escalated after President Trump warned Iran over its violent crackdown on protesters. In a Jan. 2 Truth Social post, Trump said if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the U.S. “will come to their rescue,” adding, “we are locked and loaded and ready to go.” Larijani responded on X that U.S. interference would “[destabilize] the entire region” and “[destroy] American interests,” adding, “The American people must know that Trump is the one who started this adventure.”
The Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists urged federal authorities to review Ardeshir-Larijani’s immigration status. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA )also called for her dismissal and for state officials to revoke her medical license. Emory has not released additional public comment.
