US arrests relatives of deceased Iranian general Qasem Soleimani

State Department revokes status of two women linked to Iranian regime

The U.S. State Department announced the detention of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who are relatives of Gen Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander killed in 2020. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that their lawful permanent resident status was rescinded, placing them under the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The two women are now awaiting deportation, according to a statement released on Saturday.

Rubio highlighted that Soleimani Afshar is “a vocal advocate of Iran’s authoritarian regime,” which he accused of fostering terrorism. The statement also cited her promotion of regime-aligned content on social media platforms. Her spouse, though not identified by name, was similarly barred from entering the United States. The State Department opted not to disclose the daughter’s or husband’s full names in the official release.

Legacy of Iran’s key military figure

Gen Qasem Soleimani, a 62-year-old leader of Iran’s Quds Force, played a pivotal role in orchestrating military campaigns across the Middle East. He was killed during a U.S. air strike at Baghdad airport in 2020, alongside several other Iran-backed militia leaders. This operation was authorized by then-President Donald Trump, who praised it during a national address.

“I eliminated Gen Qasem Soleimani in my first term,” Trump stated, describing the commander as an “evil genius” and a “brilliant person.” He added that Soleimani’s actions, including the development of roadside bombs, made him a “horrible human being.” Trump suggested that Iran might have held a stronger position in the conflict had Soleimani survived.

Statements from U.S. officials

Secretary Rubio shared a statement on X, noting that Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were “green card holders living comfortably in the U.S.” The arrests underscore the administration’s efforts to target individuals connected to Iran’s military influence. The U.S. government maintains that these measures are justified by the women’s alleged support for the regime and their role in spreading its ideology.

“I killed Gen Qasem Soleimani in my first term. He was an evil genius, brilliant person, a horrible human being however, the father of the roadside bomb, and he lived just horrible, what he did,” Trump said.