Around 40 Iranian detainees to leave US on January 25: Diplomat

TEHRAN (Iran News) Mehrabadi said the group will depart from Mesa Gateway Airport in the US state of Arizona and return to Iran following a short stopover in Egypt before transiting through Kuwait.

He explained that this marks the third group of Iranian nationals being deported under the US administration’s stricter immigration policies, implemented as part of President Donald Trump’s election pledges.

These policies have led to intensified enforcement actions, including the deployment of National Guard forces and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in several migrant-populated states, sparking protests and clashes, notably in Minnesota.

Mehrabadi noted that over the past eight to nine months, Iran’s Interests Section in Washington DC has been heavily engaged in facilitating the return of Iranian detainees, alongside routine consular duties.

He said Iranian detainees fall into two categories: individuals who entered the US illegally and were arrested, and others who had long resided in the country, some with permanent residency or American family ties, but were detained due to criminal charges.

According to Mehrabadi, the vast majority of those met by Iranian officials have expressed a strong desire to return home.

He explained that this marks the third group of Iranian nationals being deported under the US administration’s stricter immigration policies, implemented as part of President Donald Trump’s election pledges.

These policies have led to intensified enforcement actions, including the deployment of National Guard forces and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in several migrant-populated states, sparking protests and clashes, notably in Minnesota.

Mehrabadi noted that over the past eight to nine months, Iran’s Interests Section in Washington DC has been heavily engaged in facilitating the return of Iranian detainees, alongside routine consular duties.

He said Iranian detainees fall into two categories: individuals who entered the US illegally and were arrested, and others who had long resided in the country, some with permanent residency or American family ties, but were detained due to criminal charges.