Son of Former Iranian Official Spotted Living Comfortably in Los Angeles

In a striking case of political contradiction, the son of a prominent Iranian official who served as spokesperson during the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran has been discovered living a comfortable lifestyle in Los Angeles, fueling growing outrage among Iranian expatriates and human rights advocates.

Eissa Hashemi, 43, the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, who was dubbed “Screaming Mary” by American media during the hostage crisis, has reportedly established himself in Agoura Hills, an affluent suburb of Los Angeles. Ebtekar later served as Vice President of Women and Family Affairs in Iran from 2017 to 2021 and was once described by PBS’s Frontline as “one of the highest-ranking women in the Muslim world.”

According to reports, Hashemi works as an adjunct psychology professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Los Angeles branch. His wife, Maryam Tahmasebi, is also reportedly a psychology professor residing with him in California. The couple’s presence in the U.S. was confirmed through social media profiles and an anonymous source described as an “acquaintance” by U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe.

This revelation comes amid increasing scrutiny of relatives of Iranian regime officials enjoying Western freedoms while their family members help enforce strict limitations on basic rights in Iran. Public outcry has manifested in several petitions on Change.org calling for investigation into Hashemi’s immigration status and possible deportation.

In a particularly revealing 2008 interview cited by media reports, Hashemi appeared to express support for the embassy takeover that his mother helped orchestrate. “When mother’s book was translated from English, I understood the issue fully,” he reportedly stated. “The students then had a big move, an important cause.”

The controversy surrounding Hashemi intensified following the recent case of relatives of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. The niece and grandniece of Soleimani—who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020 after being designated a terrorist by the U.S. government—were recently taken into custody by federal immigration officials. Their green cards were reportedly revoked by the State Department.

Sheila Nazarian, who fled Iran as a child, criticized these relatives for posting images on social media showing them enjoying Western luxuries and freedoms—wearing clothing and engaging in activities that could result in severe punishment in Iran.

“The presence of these families often feels like a slap in the face to those advocating for freedom and justice in Iran,” states one petition that remains active on Change.org. The petition calls for immigration and Homeland Security officials to “review and, where necessary, revoke visas or residency permits for families of officials complicit in human rights violations.”

The situation highlights the complex relationship between the United States and Iran, which has remained strained since the 1979 hostage crisis when 52 American diplomats and citizens were held for 444 days. The crisis marked a breaking point in U.S.-Iranian relations following the Islamic Revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah.

Immigration experts note that the U.S. typically evaluates visa applications based on individual merit rather than family connections. However, in cases involving family members of officials from hostile regimes, particularly those associated with human rights abuses, additional scrutiny may be warranted.

These revelations come at a particularly sensitive time in Middle Eastern geopolitics, with ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations over nuclear development, regional proxy conflicts, and human rights concerns. Critics argue that allowing family members of regime officials to benefit from Western freedoms while supporting oppressive policies at home creates a damaging double standard.

When approached by reporters at a gym in Los Angeles, Hashemi reportedly brushed off questions about his residency status and political connections.