Amidst growing concerns over academic integrity and ethical standards, we, Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists, call for the immediate termination of Seyed Hossein Mousavian from his position at Princeton University. Mousavian's troubling history of association with state-sponsored terrorism and human rights abuses demands decisive action from Princeton University's administration. It's imperative to note that the State Department designates the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, amplifying the urgency of our call for accountability and action.

As the editor-in-chief of the Tehran Times, Mousavian played a pivotal role in facilitating the regime's propaganda machine, aiding in the cover-up and denial of the atrocities committed by the Islamic Regime during its formative years. His editorial direction actively contributed to the suppression of truth and the manipulation of public perception, further entrenching the regime's grip on power through misinformation and censorship. This history of propaganda and complicity in human rights abuses underscores the profound ethical implications of Mousavian's continued association with Princeton University, casting a dark shadow over the institution's reputation and credibility.

In the seven years Mousavian served as IRI’s ambassador in Germany, more than 23 Iranians were killed in terrorist attacks on European soil orchestrated by IRI, including Fereydoun Farrokhzad and the targeted assassination of Kurdish leaders in Vienna and at the Mykonos Restaurant in Berlin. These heinous acts underscore the direct involvement of the IRI embassy in Bonn and Mousavian's role in Iran's state-sponsored terrorism and orchestrating violence against innocent civilians. Mousavian’s involvement in the assassination of Iranian dissidents became apparent during testimonies of witnesses in the German court. His role in orchestrating violence against innocent civilians is a testament to his complicity in Iran's nefarious activities, further highlighting the dangers of his continued presence at Princeton University. 

In light of these troubling revelations, we call upon Princeton University to demonstrate its commitment to ethical principles and academic excellence by immediately terminating Mousavian's employment. By allowing an individual with such a tainted record to continue in his role, Princeton risks tarnishing its reputation and undermining the trust of its students, faculty, and the broader community. Furthermore, we demand that Princeton release all correspondence and contracts associated with Mousavian leading up to his employment and the release of donors' financial information to his program and all travel he has taken to Iran since joining Princeton that was paid by Princeton or its donors. The continued presence of Seyed Hossein Mousavian on campus is untenable and incompatible with the standards of decency and accountability that Princeton University claims to champion.

Please contact Lawdan Bazargan for media inquiries or further information via email lawdanbazargan@gmail.com."

Statements

Parviz Dastamalchi (Witness of the Assassination in Mykonos Restaurant, Writer, and Political Activist, Berlin)

Mr. Abolghasem Mesbahi, known as 'Witness C,' was one of the founders of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In February 1997, Mesbahi, under oath, testified before the German court regarding the role of Seyed Hossein Mousavian in the assassination of Kurdish leaders at the Mykonos restaurant. Mesbahi stated, "Mr. Mousavian has participated in most of the assassinations committed in Europe." His statements were widely reported in the German media during the trial. Suppose one were to entertain the notion that Misbahi's statements were untrue. Why did Mousavian, as the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Germany, refrain from taking any legal action against Mesbahi or the media outlets that reported his claims? Mousavian had access to all legal, diplomatic, and media resources but remained silent. He could have pursued legal recourse, even claiming damages, but he chose not to. The question arises: why? Is it because Mesbahi likely possessed enough evidence and documents to support his claims? It appears that Mesbahi's testimony was accurate, and the German government's decision not to pursue a legal case against Mousavian was driven by political considerations rather than the absence of criminal culpability.

Golaleh Sharafkandi (Niece of Dr. Sharafkandi One of the Victims of Mykonos Restaurant Assassination, Former Political Prisoner, Stockholm, Sweden)

“One of the most brazen and public assassinations carried out by Hezbollah at the behest of its master, Islamic Regime of Iran, occurred in 1992, when IRI operatives killed my uncle, Dr. Sadegh Sharafkandi, the secretary-general of the PDKI—the largest movement of Iranian Kurdish opposition to IRI—and three of his colleagues at the Mykonos restaurant, in Berlin. According to the verdict from the Berlin court, the attack was carried out by a Hezbollah cell on the orders of the Iranian government. In delivering the opinion, presiding judge Frithjof Kubsch said the judges were particularly struck by Iranian leaders’ assertions that they could “silence an uncomfortable voice” any way they pleased.

The Mykonos Restaurant Assassination was carried out by the Iranian regime when Seyed Hossein Mousavian was Iran’s ambassador to Germany. Tehran continues to abuse diplomatic privilege, using its representatives abroad to commit murders on foreign soil and distort the truth. We, especially in the academic world, need to be clear that using diplomatic immunity to cover up or facilitate the Islamic regime of Iran's terrorist actions on international soil is unacceptable and not condoned by academia.”

Dr. Narges Eskandari (Frankfort Mayor, Former Political Prisoner, Frankfort, Germany) 

“Seyed Hossein Mousavian, former ambassador of Iran, served during a period marked by the murder of four Iranian exiles: Sadegh Sharafkandi, Fattah Abdoli, Homayoun Ardalan, and Nouri Dehkordi. The details of this incident have been known for a long time. On December 17, 1992, these four men were gunned down while dining together in the back room of the Mykonos restaurant, a Greek establishment located in the center of Berlin.

The Berlin Supreme Court concluded in April 1997 that the conspiracy was orchestrated at the highest levels of power in Tehran, organized by figures such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and Intelligence Minister Ali Fallahian.

Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Iran's ambassador at the time, is considered one of the key masterminds behind the attack. He had prior knowledge of the assassination attempt, and evidence implicates the Iranian embassy in the attack. To date, there have been no consequences for Seyed Hossein Mousavian. Since 2009, he has been teaching in the United States and currently is a Middle East Security and Nuclear Policy Specialist in the Program on Science and Global Security, a program in Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs.

Seyed Hossein Mousavian has previously questioned the integrity of the German Supreme Court during the Mykonos Trials, which violates the basic democratic principles upon which our Federal Republic is founded. He should not be allowed to enter German territory. Our democratic state can and must defend itself against enemies of this fundamental democratic order. This is also owed to the relatives of the victims of the 1992 attack. It is our duty to honor their democratic aspirations, to which they tragically fell victim.”

Dr. Majid Mohammadi (Princeton Alumni: Post-Doctorate 2007-2008, New York)

“During his tenure as a member of Resalat Daily in Iran (in the second half of the 1980s), Mousavian played a key role in legitimizing, promoting, and normalizing terrorism. Resalat published numerous pieces praising Iranians and Arabs involved in assassinating officials such as prime ministers and presidents.

As an alumnus of Princeton University, I believe the recruitment of Mousavian tarnished Princeton's reputation and he should be dismissed immediately.

Transparency is essential in higher education. Therefore, I urge Princeton to release all correspondence and contracts associated with Mousavian leading up to his employment, as well as all financial information regarding donors to his program and any travel expenses to Iran since joining Princeton that were covered by the university or its donors.”

Dr. Farhad Keyvan (PhD in Physics, Founder Netservia LLC, Bridgwater, NJ)

“Mousavian's claims contradict the reality of Iran's nuclear enrichment program, as evidenced by recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports. The Fordow nuclear facility, initially intended for scientific research, has been found to have uranium enrichment levels reaching up to 60%, far exceeding the limits set by the 2015 accord. The regime's persistent refusal to address safeguards violations undermines the IAEA's ability to monitor Iran's expanding nuclear program effectively.

With Iran's increasing enrichment capabilities, it could potentially produce its first batch of Weapons-Grade Uranium in as little as seven days, posing a significant threat to international security. The regime's ongoing evasion of safeguards obligations further compromises the IAEA's capacity to detect any diversion of nuclear materials to undisclosed facilities.

Despite his academic credentials and prestigious position, Mousavian's work seems aimed at diverting public attention from the dangerously aggressive nuclear activities conducted by the Iranian regime. His writings and speeches downplay or justify the regime's nuclear ambitions, influencing public opinion in the US and the West. Mousavian must be fired for spreading Iranian regime propaganda and falsehoods, rather than fostering genuine academic discourse and integrity.”

Mina Ahadi (Political and Women's Rights Activist, Germany)

“The Islamic Republic of Iran exports spies, weapons, and terrorists to the world and then disguises these same terrorists as professors and teachers, sending them to the West to defend this brutal government and propagate its propaganda on the world stage. The “Woman Life Freedom” revolution endeavors to hold all proxies, missionaries, and defenders of the Islamic regime's crimes and terrorist attacks accountable. Expelling Seyed Hossein Mousavian from Princeton University is crucial in this regard. I support this significant action and hope for Mousavian's prompt expulsion from Princeton University.”

Behrouz Asadi (Political and Human Rights Activist, Germany)

“Since its establishment, the Islamic Republic of Iran has employed terrorism to eliminate its opponents both within and beyond its borders. The targeted assassination of four Kurdish leaders at a Mykonos restaurant stands out as one of the regime's most calculated security operations. This incident represents the only act of terrorism outside the country for which the Islamic Republic of Iran has faced significant political backlash. Despite the demands of German politicians, after five years of investigation and document collection, a German judicial court successfully uncovered the involvement of Iranian regime leaders in these crimes with objective evidence and convicted them for the assassination. The outcome of this court case, which exposed the Iranian regime's role in systematically targeting dissidents and opponents abroad, marked a major victory for Iranian dissidents in the diaspora.

Representatives of the Islamic Republic, including embassies, consulates, mosques, and other regime infrastructures, as well as its lobbyists, directly engage in espionage, terrorism, and pressure tactics against opposition figures abroad. It is concerning that Princeton University collaborates with Seyed Hossein Mousavian, the former ambassador of the Iranian regime in Germany, amidst such acts of terrorism and disregards human rights issues.”

Lawdan Bazargan (AAIRIA Member, Former Political Prisoner in Iran and Sister of Bijan Bazargan one of the Victims of the Islamic Regime of Iran, Orange County, California)

It's astounding that Princeton's Program on Science and Global Security, with the noble mission of advancing national and international policies for a safer and more peaceful world, has chosen to associate itself with Seyed Hossein Mousavian, who stands accused of involvement in terrorist attacks in Europe. By retaining Mousavian, Princeton jeopardizes its own reputation and undermines its commitment to human rights and global security.

Princeton must be transparent about its collaboration with Mousavian and provide a thorough account of the outcomes achieved thus far. Iran is now closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear bomb, posing a grave threat to international security. Moreover, the Islamic Regime of Iran's actions, such as taking Princeton University students hostage and forcing the university into a lawsuit settlement, reflect the alarming consequences of Mousavian's affiliation.

Mousavian's defense of Iran's nuclear ambitions further highlights the ethical and moral dilemma posed by his presence at Princeton. His reliance on hollow words from Iran's Supreme Leader to justify Iran's nuclear program is deeply concerning and undermines the principles of academic integrity and intellectual honesty.

By firing Mousavian, Princeton can reaffirm its commitment to upholding human rights, fostering global security, and preserving its reputation as a bastion of academic excellence and integrity.