U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of permanent residency permits, commonly known as green cards, for several Iranian nationals, including the niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. This decision reflects ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to reports, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, along with her daughter. Her husband has been barred from entering the United States.
ICE stated that Afshar has been actively promoting the Iranian regime’s propaganda, supporting attacks against U.S. military personnel, and expressing allegiance to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Earlier this month, the U.S. also revoked the green cards of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Iranian National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, and her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi.
Secretary Rubio expressed gratitude to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for their collaboration, emphasizing that the U.S. will not serve as a refuge for foreigners who support anti-American terrorist regimes.
Military Operations Against Iran
On February 28, Israel conducted an airstrike on Tehran. Following this, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military forces had initiated a significant military operation against Iran aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused the Iranian government of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Hamas in Palestine, stating that the operation’s objectives include dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities.
The IRGC claimed to have launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that it is just to provide Iranians the opportunity to rid themselves of a ‘terrorist regime’ and to ensure the safety of all nations affected by attacks from Iran.
On the same day, Trump claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead, a statement later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
On March 1, the IRGC announced it was commencing what it termed the ‘most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic’ against Israel and U.S. military bases. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, threatening a ‘very strong response.’
On March 2, Secretary Rubio indicated that the next phase of U.S. military operations against Iran would be even more devastating.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, mentioning he had several candidates in mind for a ‘good leader.’
On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Trump declined to comment on this election but previously stated that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the White House’s approval.
On March 26, Trump announced a temporary suspension of the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6, citing a request from the Iranian government as negotiations continue.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked green cards for several Iranian nationals, including relatives of a prominent general, amid escalating military actions against Iran. The U.S. government emphasizes its commitment to countering support for terrorism while military operations continue in the region.