US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested the niece and great-niece of slain Iranian cleric Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Marco Rubio told X, the US Secretary of State, that Afshar’s niece is “an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime that has glorified attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the ‘Great Satan.’
Rubio said that this week — he terminated the legal status of Afshar and her daughter, and they are now in ICE custody awaiting removal from the United States.
“The Trump administration will not allow our country to become home to foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes,” Rubio wrote in his X post.
Qasem Soleimani, who led the IRGC, was killed in a 2020 drone strike ordered by President Trump near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.
“Promoted the Iranian regime while living in the US”
While living in the U.S., Afshar allegedly promoted Iranian regime propaganda and glorified attacks on American soldiers, the New York Post reported, citing a State Department letter confirming the arrest.
“While living in the United States, she promoted Iranian regime propaganda, glorified attacks against American troops and military installations in the Middle East, praised Iran’s new Supreme Leader, denounced America as the ‘Great Satan,’ and expressed her unwavering support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a designated terrorist organization,” the State Department letter said.
Larijani’s daughter’s legal status has ended
Last month, the State Department reportedly terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larjiani, the daughter of the former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larjiani.
On March 17, Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s senior leadership killed Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, marking a major escalation in the US, Israel’s joint conflict with Iran.
Reports also indicate that Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Basij volunteer units, was also killed in the same wave of overnight attacks.
Iran launched a barrage of retaliatory strikes after the US and Israel jointly attacked the Islamic Republic on Saturday, February 28. The explosions were reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar – among other key Gulf hubs – which are also home to US military bases.
Trump gives Iran an ultimatum to close the deal
US President Donald Trump issued a “48-hour” ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, calling on the country to make a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that links the rich Persian Gulf to other countries.
In his latest TRUTH social media post, Trump reminded the Islamic Republic of the warning he issued ten days ago. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to DO THE DEAL or OPEN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ,” he said.
Trump threatened Iran that “time is running out”.
He added: “48 hours before all hell breaks loose on them. Praise God! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
