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Iranwire – One of the key promises made by Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, during his election campaign, was to prevent the dismissal of students and professors.
Backed by prominent academics who had been dismissed, such as Mohammad Fazli, Mohsen Borhani, and Ali Sharifizarchi, Pezeshkian frequently highlighted his intention to stop these dismissals as part of his broader educational reform plans.
On June 19, Pezeshkian vowed to protect the rights of students and professors, declaring, “I will not allow a student to be expelled from university for their opinions, nor a professor to be forced into retirement because of their views.”
He reiterated this commitment on June 23 and again on June 26, emphasizing: “I promise not to allow the dismissal of students and professors. I will not let it happen.”
The repeated pledge resonated widely, particularly given the recent trend of “starred” students and professors – those who were expelled or forced into retirement due to their political or ideological positions. The growing exodus of academic elites had contributed to a brain drain that alarmed many. As a result, people closely scrutinized Pezeshkian’s appointments to the Ministries of Science and Health, hoping these officials would focus on reinstating dismissed students and professors.
Pezeshkian’s first concrete step toward fulfilling this promise occurred during the introduction ceremony for the new Minister of Science. He ordered a comprehensive review of all cases involving dismissed professors and students, urging their reinstatement.
In the meeting, he said: “Whoever teaches us a single word makes us their servant. How can we dismiss the very professors who have brought us to where we are today, only to replace them with younger individuals who show them disrespect? I have instructed the ministry to review the cases of all professors whose contracts were canceled, and to bring back the students. Students have the right to speak up—they are the future of the country.”
The order provoked sharp criticism from the hardline Keyhan* newspaper, which labeled it illegal and unjustified. Despite the backlash, the president’s office stood by Pezeshkian’s directive, stating: “The president’s order to review the status of professors and students who have been deprived of teaching or education due to arbitrary or narrow interpretations of the law was issued fully within the legal framework and powers of the Islamic President of Iran.”
In fulfillment of Masoud Pezeshkian’s campaign promise, First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref addressed the issue of expelled students during a meeting with university presidents earlier this month. He urged the formation of a working group to review and resolve the cases of expelled students, saying, “We need to determine what percentage of students were treated based on questionable criteria, and their problems must be solved. If students were treated unfairly, their issues should be addressed.”
In response to journalists’ questions during the meeting, Minister of Science Hossein Simaei Saraf announced that the ministry was coordinating with the judiciary to review the verdicts against students and professors. He acknowledged, “We cannot interfere directly in judicial matters regarding detained students or professors, but we have a positive understanding with the judiciary. They will consider our input in a working group for cases involving students and faculty members affected by recent incidents.”
Regarding the suspension of several students at universities in Tabriz, Tarbiat Modares, and the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tehran University, Simaei Saraf encouraged students to file complaints: “If someone receives a disciplinary conviction, they can appeal and take advantage of the opportunities created by the president and first vice president for review. These cases will be investigated impartially.”
Simaei Saraf also confirmed that some suspended students and professors had been reinstated. However, he clarified, “The president and first vice president have ordered another chance for the complaints of expelled and suspended students and professors to be reconsidered. I do not confirm whether they will return to the university or not. Instead, the cases must be reviewed based on legal standards, consensus, and Islamic kindness.”
The minister urged university presidents to resolve complaints internally whenever possible: “Handle these issues within your institutions. Don’t let problems escalate. If necessary, refer cases to us for further review.”
On September 16, Minister of Health and Medical Education Mohammad Reza Zafarqandi ordered medical sciences universities to suspend the sentences of all students who were expelled in 2022 and 2023. He also instructed universities to reinstate expelled students for the 2024 academic year.
That same day, Mohammad Moghimi, the president of Tehran University, issued a directive to review disciplinary actions against students from the past three years. In his letter, he emphasized the importance of adhering to “Shari’a, ethical, and legal standards.”
The official confirmation of this policy came during President Pezeshkian’s first press conference on September 16, when he said, “We will defend free thought and prevent the creation of unnecessary cases. Of course, conspirators should be tried, but no one should be expelled for simply expressing an opinion. Dialogue and understanding can resolve many issues.”
While some progress has been made, including the return of some suspended students and professors, the full implementation of Pezeshkian’s promise remains incomplete. Two key challenges persist: not all expelled students and professors have been reinstated, and the government’s approach to handling future protests in universities, and its tolerance toward dissenting students and professors, has yet to be tested.
