US authorities have arrested the niece and grand-niece of Qasem Soleimani after revoking their legal residency status, in a move that comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
The State Department confirmed that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the cancellation of their Green Cards. The action was authorised by Marco Rubio, who revoked their legal permanent resident status.
Officials alleged that Afshar had used her time in the United States to promote pro-Iranian government views, including expressing support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US designates as a terrorist organisation. The State Department further claimed that her public statements included praise for Iran’s leadership and criticism of US policies, framing these as incompatible with her residency status.
Authorities have also barred her husband from entering the United States. In a related move, the legal status of other individuals linked to senior Iranian figures has also been revoked, reflecting a broader tightening of US policy toward those perceived to support Iran’s government.
The arrests come against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, now in its sixth week, and highlight how geopolitical tensions are increasingly influencing domestic enforcement actions.
Donald Trump also referenced Soleimani in a recent address, reiterating his earlier decision to order the 2020 drone strike that killed the Iranian commander. Soleimani, who led the Quds Force, was a central figure in Iran’s regional military strategy and widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the country after its Supreme Leader.
Overall, the arrests signal a hardening US stance not only on the battlefield but also in immigration and internal security measures linked to the broader conflict.
