After Days of Speculation, Controversial Head of Tehran University Dismissed; Minister of Science Appoints 'Interim' Replacement

After several days of speculation, confirmation, and denial, the news of the dismissal of the head of Tehran University was announced today, with 'Hossein Hosseini' appointed as the interim replacement for Mohammad Moqimi. Last week, Iranian media reported on Thursday, September 22, about the dismissal of Mohammad Moqimi and his replacement with Nasser Soltani, which was later denied. Hossein Hosseini, appointed by Minister of Science Hossein Simaei as the interim head of Tehran University, holds a PhD in veterinary medicine from Tehran University and is a faculty member at the university's veterinary school with the rank of professor. The dismissed head of Tehran University, Mohammad Moqimi, welcomed the 'request for further studies' of members of the Iraqi paramilitary group Hashd al-Shaabi during a meeting with a group of Iraqi students and Hussein Mousavi Bakhti, the deputy for education and training of Hashd al-Shaabi, on July 9, 2023. This news faced widespread criticism from the public and social media users at the time. Many users believed that the presence of Hashd al-Shaabi members at Tehran University would further enhance the repression of students and the public, stating that there would be 'no need for the Basij and IRGC to be present in the university environment anymore.' Iranian media also reported in Bahman 1402 (January 2024) that during the past two years, coinciding with Mohammad Moqimi's presidency at one of the country's most important universities, more than 25 professors were dismissed from Tehran University alone. Concurrently with the dismissal of experienced professors from Iranian universities, especially Tehran University, reports emerged of the recruitment of government-affiliated figures, including Saeed Hadadian, a cleric close to Ali Khamenei, Sajjad Safar Herandi, son of former Kayhan editor-in-chief Mohammad Hossein Safar Herandi and Minister of Culture in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government, Amir Hossein Sabati, a presenter at the 'Ofogh' network of IRIB, and Abbas Mozoun, another presenter from IRIB, as university professors. The wave of dismissals of university professors in Iran intensified following the nationwide protests in 1401 (2022) in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police, especially due to the role of students and the support of professors for the protesters. Continued reactions to the statements of the head of Tehran University: a sociologist states that the university is in the hands of security forces; the head of Tehran University claims there are no dismissed professors; a professor states: they are playing with words, I have a suspension order. The ongoing 'self-purification' in universities; the dismissal of 25 professors from Tehran University in two years focusing on the humanities. A union official speaks of 'government interference in universities'; the Ministry of Interior instructs the university. Proposal for free education for Gaza students in Iran; increasing restrictions and problems for Iranian students.