The United States has revoked the legal permanent resident status of two close relatives of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani, with federal agents detaining them, the US State Department announced on Saturday. The move forms part of a broader crackdown on individuals perceived to support Iran’s leadership during the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, now in its second month.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the termination of lawful permanent resident status for Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as Soleimani’s niece, and her daughter. Both women were subsequently detained by federal agents and are now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the department’s statement.
US officials cited Afshar’s alleged support for Iran’s government and the IRGC — which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation — as the primary reason for the action. They pointed to her social media activity, claiming she promoted Iranian government messaging and praised attacks on US personnel and military facilities across the Middle East. Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States.
In a related development earlier this month, Rubio revoked the legal residency status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Iranian National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani, and her husband Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. The couple has since left the US and is prohibited from re-entering the country.
The State Department said the decisions were taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. “The United States will not allow individuals who support anti-American terrorist regimes to reside in this country,” the statement declared, underscoring the Trump administration’s hardline stance on Iran-linked individuals.
The actions come as the US and Israel continue military operations against Iran that began on February 28. The conflict has already caused significant regional instability, including Iranian restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up global oil prices and affected economies worldwide, including Nigeria’s oil-dependent revenue base.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry reacted sharply to the latest US measures. It reiterated that Washington bears “definitive international responsibility” for the January 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani and his companions in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. Iranian officials described the residency revocations as “vindictive” and part of a pattern of collective punishment targeting family members of Iranian figures.
Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in the 2020 US drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump, remains a highly revered figure in Iran. He commanded the IRGC’s Quds Force and played a central role in Iran’s regional military and proxy activities. His death triggered widespread mourning in Iran and vows of revenge, further straining US-Iran relations.
Legal experts note that the US has broad authority to revoke or deny residency status on national security grounds. However, critics argue that targeting family members based on perceived political views or social media posts raises serious questions about due process and freedom of expression. Civil liberties groups in the US have expressed concern that such measures could set dangerous precedents for immigrant communities.
For Nigeria and many African nations, the development is being closely watched due to its potential impact on global energy markets. Nigeria, as a major oil exporter, benefits from higher crude prices in the short term but suffers from volatility and inflationary pressures caused by disruptions in the Middle East. Analysts in Abuja warn that prolonged conflict could further complicate Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“This escalation reflects the deepening rift between the US and Iran,” said Dr. Chinedu Okafor, a senior lecturer in international relations at the University of Abuja. “Targeting relatives of high-profile figures like Soleimani is a symbolic move meant to send a strong message, but it also risks inflaming tensions and complicating any future diplomatic efforts.”
The Trump administration has adopted an increasingly aggressive posture toward Iran since returning to power. Beyond military action, it has expanded sanctions, restricted travel, and intensified scrutiny of Iranian nationals and their families living in the United States. Officials argue these steps are necessary to counter what they describe as Iran’s support for terrorism and destabilising regional activities.
Iranian state media portrayed the US decision as an act of desperation amid the ongoing war. Tehran has vowed to continue supporting its regional allies and has warned of further retaliatory measures, including possible asymmetric responses through proxy groups in the Middle East.
The case of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter is likely to attract international attention. As relatives of one of Iran’s most iconic military figures, their detention could be used by Tehran for propaganda purposes. Iranian officials have already called on international human rights organisations to intervene.
In the United States, the move has received strong support from pro-Israel and conservative circles, who view it as a necessary security measure. However, some immigrant rights advocates and moderate voices have questioned the fairness of punishing individuals for the actions or affiliations of their deceased family members.
The broader US-Iran confrontation has already reshaped alliances across the Middle East. Israel continues coordinated operations with the US, while several Arab states have maintained cautious neutrality or quiet cooperation. European countries, including traditional US allies, have expressed reservations about the scale and duration of the military campaign, particularly regarding civilian casualties and humanitarian impacts.
As of Saturday evening in Nigeria (WAT), there has been no immediate confirmation from ICE regarding the exact location or legal status of the detained women. Legal proceedings for deportation or further detention are expected to follow standard immigration protocols, though national security classifications may limit public information.
The revocation of residency for these high-profile Iranian families adds another dimension to the already complex geopolitical landscape. It demonstrates Washington’s willingness to use domestic immigration tools as extensions of its foreign policy, particularly during active military engagements.
For the international community, including Nigeria, the incident highlights the far-reaching consequences of great-power conflicts. From energy price fluctuations to the treatment of diaspora communities, the ripples of the US-Iran war are being felt far beyond the battlefields of the Middle East.
Analysts predict that similar actions against other Iran-linked individuals in the US could follow in the coming weeks as the conflict intensifies. The Trump administration has signalled that it will maintain maximum pressure on Tehran until its nuclear programme and regional activities are sufficiently curtailed.
Whether these measures will achieve their strategic objectives or further entrench divisions remains to be seen. For now, the detention of Soleimani’s relatives serves as a stark illustration of how personal, legal, and geopolitical spheres have become intertwined in the ongoing Middle East crisis
