Iran-Born Yale Scholar Fired Over Allegations of Ties to Terrorist-Linked Charity

Yale University has terminated Helyeh Doutaghi, an Iranian-born associate research scholar at its Law School, citing her alleged ties to the Samidoun Network, a Canada-based group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. The university made the decision after Doutaghi reportedly failed to disclose information about her connections to the group, which has been classified as a "sham charity" and linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The university stated that Doutaghi had been placed on administrative leave for three weeks while they sought information regarding her alleged activities. "Over the last three weeks, Yale has repeatedly requested to meet with Ms. Doutaghi and her attorney to obtain clarifying information and resolve this matter," Yale spokesperson Alden Ferro said. "Unfortunately, she has refused to meet to provide any responses to critical questions, including whether she has ever engaged in prohibited activity with organizations or individuals that were placed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list ('SDN List')." With no cooperation forthcoming, Yale terminated her employment immediately, though her position was already set to expire in April.

Doutaghi, who was appointed deputy director of the Law and Political Economy (LPE) Project at Yale in October 2023, specializes in research exploring Marxian and postcolonial critiques of law, sanctions, and international political economy. According to the Palestine Center for Public Policy website, she is also slated to begin a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Tehran, focusing on her manuscript about Iranian sanctions and neoliberalism.

The allegations against Doutaghi originated from Jewish Onliner, a Substack reportedly utilizing AI capabilities. In a statement on X earlier this month, Doutaghi claimed the accusations were "far-right AI-generated" and criticized Yale for placing her on leave within 24 hours of the report, without allowing time for due process or consultation with her attorney. She also mentioned facing online harassment, death threats, and abuse, which she attributed to "Zionist trolls."

The controversy surrounding Doutaghi's dismissal is part of a broader crackdown on antisemitism and pro-Hamas activism across Ivy League schools. The Trump administration has been vocal about addressing anti-Israel protests and alleged antisemitic incidents on college campuses. Executive orders have been issued to investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism, with measures including deporting Hamas sympathizers and revoking student visas.

Columbia University has also faced scrutiny, losing $400 million in federal funding after the administration criticized its handling of anti-Israel protests. The university announced policy changes last week to align with federal demands, signaling heightened federal attention toward campus activism.

The fallout from these cases highlights the intersection of academic freedom, political activism, and national security concerns—a tightrope that institutions like Yale and Columbia are increasingly being forced to walk.