US federal authorities have arrested two relatives of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani after their lawful permanent resident status was revoked, according to statements from the U.S. State Department and multiple news reports. The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and a broader US crackdown on individuals accused of supporting the Iranian government while living in the United States. Officials confirmed that the individuals are currently in immigration custody and could face deportation proceedings in the coming weeks.
US-Israel-Iran Latest News: Niece And Grand-Niece Detained By Federal Agents
Authorities said Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of the late Iranian commander, and her daughter were taken into custody after the U.S. government terminated their permanent residency permits, commonly known as green cards. The decision to revoke their residency status was made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that the women were no longer eligible to remain in the country. Following the revocation, federal agents detained them and transferred them to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Officials said the pair are currently being held pending immigration proceedings that may lead to their removal from the United States.
US-Israel-Iran Latest News: US Cites Support For Iranian Regime
According to U.S. officials, the action was taken after authorities concluded that Soleimani Afshar had publicly expressed support for Iran’s leadership and for attacks targeting Americans.
In a statement, the State Department alleged that she praised Iran’s government and its military structures while living in the United States. U.S. officials argued that individuals who support hostile regimes should not be allowed to maintain residency privileges in the country.
Reports also said that Afshar had previously used social media to express pro-Iran views, which authorities cited while justifying the revocation of her immigration status.
US-Israel-Iran Latest News: Wider Immigration Actions Against Iranian Nationals
The arrests are part of a broader set of actions taken by U.S. authorities against several Iranian nationals linked to Tehran’s leadership. Officials said at least four individuals connected to the Iranian government recently had their visas or green cards revoked on national security grounds.
Among them was Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of a senior Iranian official, whose legal status in the United States was also cancelled. She and her husband have been barred from entering the country in the future, according to officials.
The U.S. government said these measures are intended to prevent individuals with alleged ties to hostile regimes from living or studying in the United States.
US-Israel-Iran Latest News: Who Was Qasem Soleimani?
Qasem Soleimani was one of Iran’s most powerful military figures and served as the commander of the Quds Force, an elite branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
He played a major role in shaping Iran’s regional military strategy and was widely regarded as a key architect of Tehran’s influence across the Middle East.
Soleimani was killed in January 2020 in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad ordered by the United States, an event that dramatically escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran.
US-Israel-Iran Latest News: What Happens Next
The detained relatives are expected to face immigration hearings while in ICE custody. If the proceedings uphold the government’s decision, they could be deported from the United States.
The development adds another layer to the already tense relationship between the United States and Iran, especially as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
FAQs: Key Questions About The US Arrest Of Qasem Soleimani’s Relatives
1. Why did the US arrest relatives of Qasem Soleimani?
U.S. federal agents arrested relatives of Qasem Soleimani after their lawful permanent resident status (green cards) was revoked. U.S. officials said the individuals were no longer eligible to remain in the United States, leading to their detention by immigration authorities.
2. Who are the relatives of Qasem Soleimani arrested in the United States?
Authorities identified one of the detainees as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of Qasem Soleimani, along with her daughter, who is his grand-niece.
3. Why were their green cards revoked?
According to U.S. officials, the decision to revoke their green cards was made after authorities determined they were no longer eligible for lawful permanent resident status. Officials also alleged that Afshar had publicly expressed support for Iran’s leadership.
4. What could happen to Soleimani’s relatives after their arrest?
They are currently being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and may face immigration proceedings. Depending on the outcome of those proceedings, they could be deported from the United States.
5. Who was Qasem Soleimani?
Qasem Soleimani was the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, an elite branch of Iran’s military. He was killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad in 2020, an event that sharply increased tensions between the United States and Iran.
6. Could this incident affect US-Iran relations?
Analysts say the arrests come at a time of already strained relations between Washington and Tehran. While the action is part of U.S. immigration enforcement, developments involving individuals linked to Iranian officials may further add to diplomatic tensions.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
