Title: Mora Namdar Biography: Education, Career, and 5 Key Facts About the U.S. State Department Official
Meta description: Mora Namdar biography covers her Texas roots, SMU and American University education, legal and business career, and role as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.
Who Is Mora Namdar?
Mora Namdar is an Iranian-American attorney and diplomat who serves as the 17th Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. She has held the office since December 22, 2025. She is fluent in Persian.
Her professional background spans 3 fields:
- Law
- Entrepreneurship
- Diplomacy
Where Was Mora Namdar Born and Educated?
Mora Namdar was born in Texas to Iranian immigrants. She began taking college courses at age 12.
What Degrees Does Mora Namdar Hold?
Mora Namdar holds 4 degrees from 2 universities. Southern Methodist University awarded her Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and International Affairs. American University awarded her a Master’s in International Affairs and a Juris Doctor.
What Did Mora Namdar Do at American University?
She founded the National Security Law Brief at the Washington College of Law. She served as its first Editor-in-Chief and studied abroad at the University of Oxford.
What Is Mora Namdar’s Career Timeline?
Mora Namdar progressed from private legal and business work to acting and full leadership roles at the U.S. Department of State. The table below lists 6 career stages with the period, role, and organization for each stage.
| Period | Role | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Not dated in sources | Government legal roles | U.S. Agency for Global Media |
| Not dated in sources | Founder | BAM Beauty Bar, Dallas area |
| Not dated in sources | Founder | Namdar Law PLLC |
| December 22, 2020 to January 20, 2021 | Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs | U.S. Department of State |
| May 19, 2025 to December 1, 2025 | Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs | U.S. Department of State |
| December 22, 2025 to present | Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs | U.S. Department of State |
Sources: the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs list, Wikipedia, and Hoodline.
What Business Did Mora Namdar Found?
She founded BAM Beauty Bar. BAM Beauty Bar is a blowout and makeup business with locations in the Dallas area.
What Is Namdar Law PLLC?
Namdar Law PLLC is the law firm she founded. The firm is not in active practice while she serves at the State Department.
What Did Mora Namdar Do in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs?
She led Middle East and North Africa policy as Senior Bureau Official. She also served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs from May 19, 2025 to December 1, 2025.
What Does the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Do?
The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs leads the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The position reports to the Under Secretary of State for Management.
The bureau has more than 13,000 staff members and a budget of 5.5 billion dollars. Its responsibilities include:
- Visa services
- Passport issuance
- Consular operations at U.S. embassies and consulates
- Protection of U.S. citizens abroad
What Did Mora Namdar State in Her Senate Testimony?
She described visa decisions as a national security matter. In prepared testimony at her October 2025 confirmation hearing, she said consular officers need authority to deny or revoke visas when applicants violate terms or undermine U.S. foreign policy.
How Did the Senate Process Unfold?
The Senate confirmed Mora Namdar in December 2025, and she was sworn in the following week. Reporting from Iran International describes this as her second time holding the post.
How Has the Appointment Been Received?
The appointment drew both support and scrutiny. Administration officials and some advocates cited her combined legal, policy, and private sector experience. Other reporting highlighted her earlier work on Project 2025 and her prior role at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
People Also Ask
What does Mora Namdar do?
Mora Namdar leads the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
Where is Mora Namdar from?
Mora Namdar is a Texas native born to Iranian immigrant parents.
What is Mora Namdar’s education?
She holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and American University.
Who preceded Mora Namdar as Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs?
Rena Bitter preceded her.
When did Mora Namdar become Assistant Secretary of State?
She took office on December 22, 2025.
What Defines the Mora Namdar Biography?
The Mora Namdar biography is defined by 5 facts:
- Texas birth to Iranian immigrant parents
- Degrees from Southern Methodist University and American University
- A legal career and the founding of BAM Beauty Bar and Namdar Law PLLC
- Acting leadership of the Bureaus of Consular Affairs and Near Eastern Affairs
- Appointment as the 17th Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs