In a surprising development, the Trump administration has deported around 100 Iranian nationals from the United States back to Iran. This major operation was the result of a deal struck between the two governments, according to high-ranking Iranian officials involved in the talks and a U.S. official familiar with the plans.
Sources indicate that a U.S.-chartered flight departed from Louisiana on Monday night, with an expected arrival in Iran via Qatar by early Tuesday. The U.S. official confirmed that preparations for this flight were in their final stages, though all involved spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
The specific identities of the individuals on board and their reasons for seeking entry into the United States remain undisclosed.
This deportation represents one of the most assertive measures taken by the Trump administration to repatriate migrants, irrespective of the human rights situation in their home countries. The administration’s increasingly stringent deportation policies have drawn criticism and legal challenges from immigrant rights advocates.
Historically, the United States has offered refuge to Iranians fleeing persecution in their homeland, a nation notoriously known for its severe human rights violations. Iran targets women’s rights activists, political dissenters, journalists, lawyers, religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community, among others.
Recent years have seen a notable increase in Iranian migrants arriving at the southern U.S. border, many seeking asylum due to fears of political or religious persecution.
Hossein Noushabadi, the director general of parliamentary affairs in Iran’s foreign ministry, announced on Tuesday that U.S. immigration authorities intend to deport 400 Iranians residing in the United States over the next few months.
“Initially, they decided to deport 120 Iranians who entered the U.S. illegally, primarily through Mexico,” Noushabadi informed Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to Iran’s influential Revolutionary Guards force.
He further noted that some of the deportees had U.S. residency, emphasizing that all had originally left Iran legally.
For years, the United States faced obstacles in deporting individuals to certain countries, including Iran, largely due to a lack of formal diplomatic ties and difficulties in obtaining timely travel documents. This often resulted in migrants being held in prolonged detention or released within the U.S. In 2024, the U.S. deported over two dozen Iranians, a significant increase in recent years.
The Iranian officials involved in the discussions revealed that the deported group comprised both men and women, including some couples. Some chose to leave voluntarily after months in detention centers, while others did not.
The officials added that in almost every case, asylum requests had either been rejected or had not yet reached a judge for a hearing.
This deportation marks a rare instance of cooperation between the United States and the Iranian government, representing the culmination of several months of negotiations between the two nations, according to Iranian officials.
One official stated that Iran’s foreign ministry is overseeing the return of the deportees and has provided assurances for their safety, promising they would face no issues upon arrival. Nevertheless, many expressed feelings of disappointment and even fear.
“Iran will undoubtedly welcome migrants who, for any reason, had previously emigrated to the United States,” Mr. Noushabadi reassured Tasnim.
Beyond political oppression, Iran is currently grappling with a severe economic and energy crisis, marked by a plummeting currency, soaring inflation, high unemployment, and widespread water and power shortages.
The economic outlook is expected to worsen with the recent re-imposition of United Nations Security Council sanctions, which took effect on Saturday.