WASHINGTON: The US immigration authorities detained the niece of slain Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, identified as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar along with her daughter following the revocation of their green cards, according to official statements.
The US State Department confirmed that both individuals are currently being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are facing possible deportation proceedings.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar was a supporter of the Iranian regime which Washington accuses of backing attacks against American interests.
Rubio further alleged that she had publicly expressed support for the Iranian leadership which has long been critical of the United States.
He explained that US policy required them to revoke their green cards because the administration protects the United States from individuals who support hostile governments by terminating their residency rights.
Both individuals remain in ICE detention while their deportation legal proceedings progress according to officials.
Iran claims shoot down of three US aircraft in a single day
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that they have shot down three US Aircraft one helicopters and three drones in a single day which is a black day for the country enemy US and Israel.
According to a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s new and advanced air defense system has taken full action, destroying two US warplanes, five drones and two cruise missiles in the air in a single day. To bolster these claims, Iranian media and news agencies have also aired footage of a US Black Hawk helicopter being targeted, which is said to have been searching for the crew of the downed aircraft.
Iranian officials say their air defense heroes have made Iranian borders impassable and dangerous for the enemy and now any aggression will be responded to with the same severity.
According to the report, the crew of one of the downed planes failed to safely eject and died with the plane, while conflicting reports are circulating about the pilot of the other plane, claiming that an American pilot has been captured by Iranian forces.
US officials have so far confirmed the downing of an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, but the Pentagon is being cautious about other losses and the capture of the pilot. President Trump has described the situation as serious, describing it as a state of war, but has also said that diplomatic channels can be found to reduce tensions. The situation in the region is currently extremely tense and Iran continues to release more videos and details.
