Dismissal of Controversial Tehran University President; Moqimi Replaced by Soltani

Iranian media reported on Thursday, September 13, the dismissal of Mohammad Moqimi, the president of Tehran University, and his replacement by Nasser Soltani. It is said that Nasser Soltani, appointed by the Minister of Science, is a faculty member of the Mechanical Engineering Department and holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in the USA. He has previously served as the head of the technical faculties of Tehran University from 2016 to 2022. The dismissed president, Mohammad Moqimi, had welcomed the 'request for further education' from 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 repressive force against students and the public, stating that there would be 'no need for the Basij and the IRGC to be present within the university anymore.' Iranian media also reported in February 2024 that, continuing the trend of dismissing professors from Iranian universities, over 25 professors were expelled from Tehran University alone during the two years of Moqimi's presidency at one of the country's most important universities. Alongside the dismissal of experienced professors from Iranian universities, especially from Tehran University, reports emerged of the recruitment of government-affiliated figures, including Saeed Hadadian, a cleric close to Ali Khamenei, Sajad Safar Herandi, son of former Kayhan editor Mohammad Hossein Safar Herandi and Minister of Culture under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Amir Hossein Sabati, a presenter on the 'Ofogh' network of state television, and Abbas Mozoun, another presenter from state television, as university professors. The wave of dismissals of university professors in Iran intensified following the nationwide protests in 2022 in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police, particularly due to the role of students and the support of professors for the protesters. Continuing reactions to the statements of the president of Tehran University: a sociologist stated that the university is under the control of security forces. The president of Tehran University claimed there are no dismissed professors; however, one professor remarked that they are 'playing with words' and that he has a suspension order. The ongoing process of 'self-purging' in universities has led to the dismissal of 25 professors from Tehran University in two years, focusing on the humanities. A union official spoke of 'government interference in the university,' stating that the Ministry of Interior instructs the university. There was also a proposal for free education for students from Gaza in Iran, amidst increasing restrictions and problems for Iranian students.