Son of Former Top Iranian Official Seen Living Comfortable Life in Los Angeles

Calls grow for investigation and deportation of Eissa Hashemi, whose mother was a spokesperson for the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage takers

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:48am

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A fractured, abstract painting of a person in workout clothes walking through a modern gym, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color representing the tension between the Iranian official's son's privileged life in the U.S. and the oppression in Iran.The comfortable Western lifestyle enjoyed by the son of a former Iranian official contrasts sharply with the oppression his government continues to inflict on its own people.Agoura Hills Today

The son of a former top-level Iranian official, who acted as the spokesperson for hostage takers occupying Tehran's U.S. Embassy in 1979, is yet another relative of Iran's hard-lined Islamist regime caught living a comfortable and affluent Western lifestyle in Los Angeles. Petitioners have been calling for Eissa Hashemi, 43, to be investigated and deported, arguing it is unfair for the relatives of these Iranian leaders to enjoy the freedom and privileges afforded to people in the West, and more particularly in the United States, while their government in Iran continues to oppress and restrict its people.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the debate over whether relatives of Iranian officials should be allowed to live comfortably in the U.S. while their government oppresses its own people. It raises questions about immigration policies, national security, and the consistency of U.S. values and policies.

The details

Eissa Hashemi, the son of former Iranian Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, has been living in the Los Angeles area while working as an adjunct psychology professor. Ebtekar was the spokesperson for the hostage takers who captured over 50 American hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Hashemi has been spotted at a 'fancy' gym in LA, where he reportedly brushed off reporters' questions. Petitions have been circulating calling for Hashemi to be investigated and deported, arguing it is unfair for relatives of Iranian leaders to enjoy Western freedoms while their government oppresses its own people.

  • In 2008, Hashemi provided a rare interview about his views on the 1979 hostage crisis.
  • Hashemi's LinkedIn page previously indicated he was a doctoral student at the Los Angeles branch of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2015.
  • Hashemi's wife Maryam Tahmasebi's social media profiles listed her home as being in Los Angeles.

The players

Eissa Hashemi

The 43-year-old son of former Iranian Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, who was the spokesperson for the hostage takers at the 1979 U.S. Embassy siege in Tehran. Hashemi is currently living in the Los Angeles area and working as an adjunct psychology professor.

Masoumeh Ebtekar

A former Iranian Vice President for Women and Family Affairs who served from 2017 to 2021. She was also the spokesperson for the hostage takers at the 1979 U.S. Embassy siege in Tehran.

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What they’re saying

“When mother's book was translated from English, I understood the issue fully. The students then had a big move, an important cause.”

— Eissa Hashemi

What’s next

Petitions calling for Hashemi to be investigated and deported are currently under review by Change.org. Immigration and Homeland Security officials may review the visas or residency permits of families of Iranian officials involved in human rights violations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the debate over whether relatives of Iranian officials should be allowed to live comfortably in the U.S. while their government oppresses its own people. It raises questions about the consistency of U.S. immigration policies and whether they align with American values.