Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani faces removal from United States amid scrutiny over links to Ali Larijani
April 5, 2026: Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of senior Iranian figure Ali Larijani, is facing removal from the United States after being dismissed from Emory University amid growing backlash over her family’s ties to Iran’s ruling establishment. She had been serving as an assistant professor at the university’s Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, a leading centre for cancer research. The controversy triggered criticism over how individuals linked to foreign regimes secure roles in prominent American institutions.
The issue drew political attention, with US lawmaker Buddy Carter calling for her dismissal and arguing that American institutions should not serve as “safe havens” for those associated with hostile governments. The case comes amid a broader push by US authorities to act against individuals linked to regimes considered adversarial. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike, further intensifying focus on the family’s political connections.
In a related development, US authorities detained relatives of slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani — including Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter — in Los Angeles, where they are awaiting deportation. Officials have accused Afshar of promoting Iranian regime propaganda and supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The developments underscore increasing scrutiny of foreign nationals in the US with alleged links to governments seen as hostile, particularly within academic and public spheres.