By Peter John
The United States has detained two relatives of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, with officials confirming that their legal residency status has been revoked.
According to the US State Department, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar—identified as Soleimani’s niece—and her daughter were taken into custody by immigration authorities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the revocation of their permanent resident status, commonly known as green cards.
Rubio said the two women are currently being held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are awaiting removal from the country. He also alleged that they had been living comfortably in the United States while maintaining links to Iran.
US authorities claim Soleimani Afshar entered the country on a tourist visa in 2015, later receiving asylum in 2019 and becoming a permanent resident in 2021.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said her asylum status is now under scrutiny after she reportedly travelled back to Iran multiple times—something officials argue contradicts her original claim for protection.
Her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, is said to have followed a similar path, entering the US on a student visa before also being granted asylum and later permanent residency.
The State Department further accused Soleimani Afshar of supporting Iran’s government and spreading what it described as regime propaganda on social media.
However, the allegations have been strongly denied by Narjes Soleimani, who said the detained individuals have “no connection whatsoever” to her father and dismissed the claims as false.
Qasem Soleimani, a key figure in Iran’s military leadership and head of the Quds Force, was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq in 2020 ordered by then President Donald Trump.
The case adds to ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly as relations remain strained amid broader geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.
US officials have not provided further details on when deportation proceedings for the two women will be concluded.
