The United States has canceled the green cards of two relatives of slain Iranian leader Qassem Soleimani, as tensions continue to escalate between Washington and Tehran.Qasem Soleimani led Iran’s Quds Force and was killed in a US drone strike in 2020.
It was an event that continues to shape relations between the two countries.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Hamida Soleimani Afshar, Soleimani’s niece, and her daughter were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and face deportation. The move comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on Iran amid an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.When announcing the decision, Rubio accused Afshar of supporting the Iranian government.
The statement read: “During her stay in the United States, she promoted the Iranian regime’s propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military installations in the Middle East, praised Iran’s new Supreme Leader, condemned America as the ‘Great Satan,’ and expressed her unwavering support for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, a terrorist organization.”He added that Afshar was living comfortably in the United States while expressing such views.
It continued: “Afshar Soleimani promoted this propaganda for the Iranian terrorist regime while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, as evidenced by her frequent posts on her recently deleted Instagram account.”
In a post on theHe added: “The Trump administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign citizens who support anti-American terrorist regimes.”According to the Department of Homeland Security, the two women entered the United States separately in 2015, with Afshar arriving on a tourist visa and her daughter on a student visa. Afshar later applied for citizenship in 2025 and revealed multiple trips to Iran.“Her travels to Iran make clear that her asylum applications were fraudulent,” said Lauren Pace, the agency’s assistant director of Homeland Security. She added: “It is an honor to be granted a green card to live in the United States of America. If we have reason to believe that a green card holder poses a threat to the United States, the green card will be revoked.”This measure comes at a time of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump recently warned Tehran against reaching a ceasefire agreement and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil supplies. The corridor carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil, and the restrictions have already led to higher fuel prices.Trump said in a post: “Remember when you gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz.” The MAGA leader added: “Time is running out – 48 hours before hell comes upon them. Hallelujah!”
