Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a long-serving Middle East Security and Nuclear Policy Specialist at Princeton University's Program on Science and Global Security, retired in May 2025 following years of intense scrutiny and a sustained campaign for his removal. The departure, officially termed a retirement by the university, was celebrated by activists and political figures who had accused him of ties to the Iranian regime and involvement in past controversial actions. Hillel Neuer, a prominent human rights activist, announced the development on social media, stating, "Finally: Princeton University drops IRGC terrorist ambassador Hossein Mousavian."
Mousavian, who joined Princeton in 2009, previously served as Iran's ambassador to Germany and was a nuclear negotiator for the Iranian government. Critics, including the Alliance Against Islamic Republic of Iran Apologists (AAIRIA), alleged his past roles and continued affiliations posed a threat to national security and academic integrity. Accusations against him included links to the 1992 Mykonos restaurant assassinations in Berlin, which a German court linked to the Iranian state, and support for groups designated as terrorist organizations.
The campaign for Mousavian's dismissal gained significant momentum, spearheaded by figures such as Lawdan Bazargan of AAIRIA and receiving vital support from Senator Ted Cruz and Omri Ceren. In late 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce launched an investigation into Mousavian's role at Princeton, citing concerns about foreign influence in American academic institutions. Senator Cruz had explicitly called on Princeton to dismiss Mousavian, citing a "risk to students" and his alleged links to Iranian dissident assassinations.
Despite Mousavian's denials of acting on behalf of the Iranian government during his tenure at Princeton, the mounting pressure from activists, politicians, and media outlets intensified throughout early 2025. The university's official statement noted his retirement, concluding his 15-year association with the institution. The celebratory tone of the tweet from Hillel Neuer reflects the perception among his critics that his departure was a direct result of their persistent advocacy.
Following his departure from Princeton, calls for further action against Mousavian have emerged. Neuer's tweet concluded with a demand for his prosecution and deportation, echoing sentiments from other critics who have long argued that individuals with alleged ties to hostile foreign regimes should not maintain a presence in the United States. The case highlights ongoing debates about academic freedom, national security, and the influence of foreign actors within American educational institutions.