Qasem Soleimani: Niece and Grand-Niece Arrested in the US
The US State Department has announced the arrest of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, niece of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter. The arrests have sparked controversy and raised questions about the US government’s scrutiny of individuals with familial ties to figures considered adversaries.
Revoked Residency and Allegations of Fraud
Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the lawful US permanent resident status of both Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter has been revoked. According to the State Department, Soleimani Afshar entered the US on a tourist visa in 2015, was granted asylum in 2019, and received her green card in 2021. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges that her asylum claim was fraudulent, citing four visits to Iran after obtaining her green card.
The DHS stated that Soleimani Afshar’s daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, arrived in the US on a student visa in 2015, received asylum in 2019, and was granted a green card in 2023.
Family Rebuttal and Political Context
Narjes Soleimani, daughter of the late General Qasem Soleimani, vehemently denies the US State Department’s claims, stating that the arrested individuals “have no connection whatsoever” to her father. She criticized the US government, calling its actions a fabrication of lies against a significant figure.
The arrests come amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Qasem Soleimani, a pivotal figure in Iranian military strategy and the head of the elite Quds Force, was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq in January 2020, authorized by then-President Donald Trump. Trump recently revisited the topic, describing Soleimani as a “horrible human being” and the “father of the roadside bomb.”
State Department’s Justification and Further Actions
The State Department alleges that Soleimani Afshar was an “outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran” and actively promoted “Iranian regime propaganda” on her social media accounts. Her husband has also been barred from entering the US. Both women are currently in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are pending removal from the country.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Developments
This case highlights the US government’s heightened vigilance regarding individuals with ties to Iran, particularly those associated with the Revolutionary Guard Corps. The situation is developing, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings unfold. The incident also occurs against a backdrop of wider regional instability, with concerns about potential escalation in the Middle East. Recent events, such as the rise in Brent crude prices and increased security concerns, underscore the complex geopolitical landscape.
Further Reading:
- BBC News: Qasem Soleimani – Comprehensive coverage of the late General’s life and legacy.
- Council on Foreign Relations: Iran – In-depth analysis of Iran’s political and economic situation.
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