Hossein Kheirandish: Traditional Medicine Controversies, Cupping Research Institute, University Dispute and Arrest
Hossein Kheirandish is an Iranian promoter of traditional medicine who has attracted considerable public attention through his activities in the field of Iranian traditional medicine, his promotion of hijama (cupping therapy), his appearances on state television, and a series of controversial statements about medical treatment and public health.
For several decades, Kheirandish presented himself as an advocate of traditional Iranian medicine and played a prominent role in organizations promoting cupping therapy. His professional activities included establishing the Iran Cupping Research Institute, organizing educational programs, participating in conferences, and advocating for a stronger institutional position for traditional medicine within Iran’s healthcare system.
His public profile, however, extends beyond traditional medicine. Kheirandish has faced criticism over medical claims that were examined by fact-checking organizations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. His name has also become associated with a controversial educational institution that claimed to operate as an Iranian branch of an Armenian university.
The educational controversy raised questions about academic accreditation, the validity of university qualifications, and the responsibilities of individuals involved in private medical education. According to reporting by Tasnim News Agency, Mkhitar Gosh University in Armenia denied having established an Iranian branch and stated that the documents presented to it had not been issued by the university.
Kheirandish’s public activities have also included political and cultural engagements. He has appeared in television programs discussing health and traditional medicine, spoken about his involvement in revolutionary movements, and supported Saeed Jalili during Iran’s 2024 presidential election.
In November 2026, his name returned to national and international headlines following reports of his arrest. On November 7, Tasnim reported the arrest of an individual identified as H.K., a promoter of traditional medicine, following complaints from a private claimant and Iran’s Medical Council. Subsequent reporting explicitly identified the individual as Hossein Kheirandish.
The arrest represents a significant new development in a story involving traditional medicine, medical regulation, educational credentials, public health controversies, and legal proceedings in Iran.
Understanding the case requires examining the different stages of Kheirandish’s public career, from the establishment of his cupping organization in the 1980s to the controversies surrounding his educational activities and his reported arrest in 2026.
1. The Beginning of Hossein Kheirandish’s Activities in Traditional Medicine
One of the most important elements of Hossein Kheirandish’s professional history is his involvement in the promotion of traditional Iranian medicine and cupping therapy.
According to a report published by Tasnim News Agency in 2016, the Iran Cupping Research Institute began its activities in 1986, following an initiative attributed to Kheirandish. The organization was officially registered in 1990, when its educational activities also began.
The institute subsequently became one of the organizations associated with the promotion and teaching of hijama in Iran.
Cupping therapy, commonly known as hijama in Persian and Arabic-speaking communities, is a traditional practice involving the application of suction cups to the skin. In wet cupping, practitioners make superficial incisions before applying suction to remove small quantities of blood.
The practice has historical roots in several medical traditions and continues to attract interest among individuals seeking complementary or traditional treatments.
Kheirandish positioned the Iran Cupping Research Institute as an organization dedicated to the development, education, and institutional recognition of this practice.
The Establishment of the Iran Cupping Research Institute
The institute’s reported history dates back to 1986 (1365 in the Iranian calendar).
According to Tasnim’s historical account, its establishment was initiated by Hossein Kheirandish. Four years later, in 1990, the institution received formal registration and began its educational activities.
The organization subsequently received what Tasnim described as preliminary approval, or an agreement in principle, from the Ministry of Health in 1993 and 1994.
These developments were presented as important milestones in the institute’s efforts to establish a formal position for cupping education in Iran.
The organization later conducted educational courses, training programs, and conferences related to traditional medicine and hijama.
Kheirandish participated in these activities in his capacity as the institute’s president or director.
However, it is important to distinguish between the institute’s historical registration, preliminary administrative approvals, and the separate regulatory authorization required for particular medical and educational activities.
November 8, 2026 | 5:18 pm
