U.S. Arrests Relatives of Qassem Soleimani After Revoking Residency Status

The United States has taken decisive action against two relatives of slain Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, following the revocation of their legal residency status.

According to a statement released on Saturday by the U.S. State Department, the niece and grandniece of the former Iranian general were taken into custody by federal agents after their lawful permanent resident status was terminated. The decision was authorized by Marco Rubio, signaling a firm stance by the U.S. government on individuals perceived to have ties to or support for the Iranian regime.

The niece, identified as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, was arrested alongside her daughter, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. Both individuals are currently being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, though officials have not revealed their exact location.

The development adds a new dimension to the long-standing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Soleimani, who led the foreign operations unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020 during the administration of Donald Trump. His death marked a major escalation in U.S.-Iran relations and continues to influence geopolitical dynamics years later.

U.S. authorities have justified the arrests by pointing to what they described as outspoken support for Iran’s leadership by Soleimani’s niece. The State Department cited public statements and social media activity in which she allegedly praised Ali Khamenei and criticized the United States. Officials characterized her position as aligning with what they termed a “totalitarian” regime.

In addition to the arrests, further restrictions have been imposed on associated family members. Her husband has been barred from entering the United States, reinforcing the administration’s broader immigration and national security policy.

The State Department also confirmed similar actions involving relatives of another high-ranking Iranian figure, Ali Larijani, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike in March. His daughter and son-in-law have had their legal status revoked and are no longer in the United States, with a permanent ban placed on their future entry.

In a public statement, Rubio emphasized that the U.S. would not serve as a safe haven for individuals who support governments or groups considered hostile to American interests. The move reflects a continuation of hardline policies toward Iran, particularly concerning national security and immigration enforcement.

As tensions between the two nations persist, this latest development highlights how geopolitical rivalries continue to shape policies far beyond the battlefield, extending into immigration, diplomacy, and international relations.