US Arrests Relatives of Late Iranian General Amid Status Revocation

Key Takeaways

• Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter have been detained by US authorities pending removal.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially revoked their lawful US permanent resident status.
• The State Department cites their support for the Iranian regime and promotion of propaganda.
• Qasem Soleimani's husband was also barred from entering the United States.

The niece and grand-niece of the late commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen Qasem Soleimani, have been arrested by US authorities. This development comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of their lawful US permanent resident status. The State Department confirmed the action on Saturday, placing the women in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In a formal statement released on Saturday, the administration detailed the reasons behind the enforcement action against the family members of the deceased commander. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were both green card holders, are now pending removal from the country. In a post on social media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the two women are currently in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Secretary emphasized that the individuals were living lavishly in the United States while maintaining ties to the regime that produced their relative.

The State Department characterized Hamideh Soleimani Afshar as an "outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran." The statement further alleged that she had promoted "Iranian regime propaganda" through her social media account, contributing to the decision to revoke her residency. The administration noted that the 62-year-old General was killed in a US air strike in Iraq in 2020. This strike, ordered by then US President Donald Trump, occurred at Baghdad airport and resulted in the deaths of Soleimani and other Iran-backed militia figures. The General was recognized as Iran's most powerful military commander at the time of his death.

Further complicating the situation, the State Department indicated that Soleimani Afshar's husband has also been barred from the US. While the agency confirmed the travel ban on her spouse, the statement notably did not name Soleimani Afshar's daughter or husband explicitly in the public release. However, the focus remained on the wife and her family unit's status. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used his platform on X to highlight the situation, asserting that Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders who had been living comfortably in the United States while supporting the regime responsible for her relative's actions.

President Trump recently referenced the strike during a national address on Wednesday, reflecting on the events that led to the arrest of the family members. He described the operation that ended Soleimani's life in his first term. "I killed Gen Qasem Soleimani in my first term," Trump stated, describing the late commander as an "evil genius" and a "brilliant person." He added that while he was a "horrible human being" and the father of the roadside bomb, he lived a horrible life and did terrible things. These remarks underscore the enduring political weight of the strike and its continued ripple effects years after the event.

The revocation of residency and the subsequent detention highlight the US government's continued stance against individuals associated with the Iranian regime. The State Department's actions signal a continued effort to remove those deemed supportive of the totalitarian regime within US borders. The situation places the women in a precarious legal position, awaiting deportation proceedings as ICE executes the removal order.

State Department Action on Iranian Regime Supporters

This series of arrests and status revocations solidifies the US administration's hardline approach toward the Iranian government's military leadership. By targeting immediate family members of a key commander like Qasem Soleimani, the administration demonstrates a strategy of holding associates accountable for their support of the regime. The inclusion of Marco Rubio in these high-level decisions highlights the executive branch's active role in enforcing immigration policies against perceived security threats. Looking ahead, this action may encourage further scrutiny of residency applications from individuals with known ties to Iranian military figures. The precedent set by this arrest could lead to similar proceedings against other relatives or associates, potentially altering the diplomatic landscape between the two nations. The focus on propaganda and regime support suggests that digital activity may increasingly be a factor in future immigration and security determinations.