❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has confirmed that 120 of its nationals are being deported from the United States under President Donald J. Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian foreign ministry official Hossein Noushabadi, President Trump, and U.S. officials.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The deportees are expected to arrive in Iran within one or two days via Qatar, according to Iranian state media.
💬KEY QUOTE: Noushabadi called on the U.S. government to “respect the rights of Iranian migrants and their citizenship rights under international law.”
🎯IMPACT: This marks the first phase of a deal to deport 400 Iranian nationals, a rare instance of cooperation between the U.S. and Iran.
Iran announced that 120 of its citizens are being deported from the United States, with their return expected within the next one or two days. Iranian foreign ministry official Hossein Noushabadi confirmed the development, stating that most of those being deported had entered the U.S. illegally, primarily through Mexico. A smaller number reportedly held valid U.S. residency permits.
The deportation is part of a broader agreement between the United States and Iran to repatriate Iranian nationals. The first phase of this deal involves the deportation of 400 individuals, with this group being the initial wave. The deportees are being flown to Iran through Qatar, according to Iranian state media. Noushabadi called on the U.S. government to “respect the rights of Iranian migrants and their citizenship rights under international law.”
President Donald J. Trump has continued to ramp up immigration enforcement actions, aiming to directly deport over 300,000 illegal immigrants by year’s end—with many others choosing to self-deport. Notably, the highest number of deportations over a single year—in recent history—was previously achieved by former President Barack Obama, totaling just over 300,000.
This rare instance of cooperation between the U.S. and Iran comes despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. The deportation process is being facilitated through Iran’s U.S. Interests Section at the Pakistani embassy in Tehran.
Image by Mohammad Ali Marizad.
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