Call for Federal Investigation into Islamic Republic's Influence at Princeton University; Cut Ties with Mousavian

Following recent revelations about the Iranian government's influence at Princeton University in the United States, the organization "United Against Nuclear Iran" has called for a federal investigation into the matter. This organization also urged Princeton University to sever its ties with Hossein Mousavian. A report published by the American media outlet "Semafor" on Thursday, May 20, highlighted Princeton's role in New Jersey in facilitating the Islamic Republic's influence, questioning Mousavian's activities at the university. Mousavian, a former official of the Islamic Republic, has been described by the United Against Nuclear Iran organization as a "missionary of the Islamic Republic." The CEO of the United Against Nuclear Iran stated in a press release on Thursday, "American universities should be centers of learning, not channels for foreign agendas. Today's report shows how the U.S. government is lagging in countering the Islamic Republic's influence operations on U.S. soil." Mark DeWallis further emphasized, "A plethora of reports over the past year—from the suspension of Robert Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, to the disclosure of the 'Iran Experts Initiative' and Princeton's role as a platform for promoting the interests of the Islamic Republic—highlights the necessity for a formal congressional investigation." The Semafor news outlet reported on Thursday that it investigated Princeton's close relationships with senior officials of the Islamic Republic in recent years, stating that Princeton aimed to play a pivotal role in restoring relations between Tehran and Washington during Barack Obama's presidency. The report also noted that the university later established an Iran Studies Center, accepted a senior Iranian diplomat into its structure, and initiated a student exchange program with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recently, the U.S. Congress, where Republicans hold a majority in the House of Representatives and are slightly in the minority in the Senate, has officially begun its investigation into the university's connections with Iranian government officials. In Esfand 1402, a group of activists and former political prisoners, human rights advocates, and university professors issued a press release calling for the expulsion of Hossein Mousavian from Princeton University. This group, titled "United Against Defenders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," stated in their release, "Mousavian's dark past and his connections to state terrorism and human rights violations necessitate decisive action from Princeton University. It is essential to note that the U.S. State Department has declared the Islamic Republic of Iran a supporter of terrorism, which intensifies our call for accountability and action." The statement continued, "As the editor of Tehran Times, Mousavian played a central role in facilitating the regime's propaganda apparatus and helped cover up and deny the regime's crimes during its formative years." According to the signatories of this statement, "In his role as editor, Mousavian actively contributed to suppressing the truth and manipulating public perception of facts, thereby solidifying the regime's grip on power through misinformation and censorship." Protests by Iranian demonstrators in front of Princeton University and calls for the expulsion of Hossein Mousavian were also noted. Mousavian, the Islamic Republic's ambassador at the time of the Mykonos assassination in Germany, is called to respond; part of the program on the last page. Ladan Bazargan: The presence of an individual with Mousavian's background in America is appeasement towards a child-killing regime. Examination of Mousavian's presence at the U.S. Strategic Command meeting in conversation with Mansour Farhang. A collective statement from civil activists and university professors; a request for the expulsion of Hossein Mousavian from Princeton University. The Pentagon's deputy: The security clearance of Aryan Tabatabai is under review. Strong criticism from Republicans regarding "the Biden administration's appeasement" towards the Islamic Republic; Aryan Tabatabai's case is under review. The U.S. Congress is demanding accountability regarding the reason for Mousavian's invitation to the strategic command meeting.