> Dr. Masoud Soleimani is a stem cell researcher and an associate professor at *Tarbiat Modares University*. He earned his Ph.D. in *Laboratory Hematology and Blood Banking* in 2004 (1383 Solar Hijri) and completed his Master’s degree in the same field in 1998 (1377 Solar Hijri).
Recognized as one of the world’s top 1% most-cited scientists in prestigious academic journals, he traveled to the United States on a research sabbatical on October 7, 2018 (15 Mehr 1397). However, before entering U.S. territory, he was arrested and imprisoned by the FBI under unclear circumstances. > Rz Sadeghy: Dr. Soleimani, a prominent researcher in hematology and stem cell science, was invited to the U.S. by the Mayo Clinic—one of the world’s most prestigious medical research institutions—to conduct specialized research. Despite this formal invitation, he was arbitrarily detained for months, violating all academic and research protocols. No official explanation was ever provided by the U.S. government for his arrest, and the incident was met with deafening silence from Western media and self-proclaimed human rights activists.
University Officials Condemn the Arrest
Dr. Fathollahi, Vice President for Research and Technology at *Tarbiat Modares University*, expressed deep regret over the indifference of human rights organizations regarding Dr. Soleimani’s detention. He stated:
*"As previously announced, this faculty member traveled with an official visa and university coordination for a research sabbatical. He was scheduled to conduct joint research at a U.S. institution for six months but was arrested immediately upon arrival at the airport. The charge against him—ordering a chemical reagent for hematology research—is absurd and unfounded. He did not personally purchase anything; he merely placed a request. This detention is clearly a politically motivated act of harassment."*
Dr. Fathollahi further explained the university’s efforts to secure his release:
"With the support of the university board and his family, we hired legal representation and continuously pursued diplomatic channels through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yet, for an extended period, this distinguished scholar endured uncertainty about his fate, with no clear legal proceedings."*
Legal Farce and Delayed Court Hearings
The U.S. court failed to present any credible charges. The hearings were postponed three times, and the trial—scheduled for late May 2019—was repeatedly delayed without justification. It became evident that U.S. authorities lacked evidence and were fabricating a case.
Harsh Detention Conditions
During his imprisonment, Dr. Soleimani—suffering from chronic IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)—endured inhumane conditions in U.S. detention facilities. His brother, Rasul Soleimani, reported severe physical and psychological distress, holding the U.S. government fully responsible for any harm to his health.
Release After Diplomatic Efforts
Finally, on December 7, 2019, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced Dr. Soleimani’s release on his Twitter account:
*"I am immensely pleased that Dr. Masoud Soleimani and Mr. Wang will soon reunite with their families. I thank all who contributed to this outcome, particularly the Swiss government."*
A Broader Pattern of Scientific Suppression
The unjust arrest of Professor Soleimani exposes the imperialist agenda of obstructing scientific progress in nations that reject colonial dominance and strive for independence, freedom, and equality in academia. This shameful apartheid underscores the need for solidarity among targeted nations and serves as a stark reminder to higher education authorities about the precarious nature of scientific credibility in the current global order.
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