US authorities have detained the niece and grandniece of late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani after their lawful permanent residency status in the United States was revoked, according to official statements.
The US State Department said the two individuals were taken into custody by immigration authorities following a decision to revoke their green cards. Officials alleged support for the Iranian government and related propaganda activities. It also stated that one of their spouses had been barred from entering the United States.
The move comes amid heightened tensions in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, now in its sixth week.
Separately, US officials said they had also terminated the legal status of relatives of prominent Iranian political figures, with those individuals either leaving the country or being barred from future entry.
Authorities have described such actions as part of broader immigration enforcement and national security measures, while rights groups have raised concerns over due process and civil liberties in similar cases.
