TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A second flight carrying Iranians deported from the United States has departed, according to Iranian officials. The move coincides with U.S. plans to send back hundreds of prisoners to the Islamic Republic, thereby intensifying the already high tensions between the two nations.
The deportations follow America's military actions against Iranian nuclear sites during a recent conflict with Israel. Activists abroad are raising alarms about the safety of those being returned, considering Iran's increased crackdown on intellectuals and prisoners in recent times.
Mojtaba Shasti Karimi, an official from Iran's Foreign Ministry, confirmed that 55 Iranians have been repatriated and highlighted their willingness to return amidst what they described as discriminatory practices against foreigners, particularly Iranians, by the U.S.
Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, added that more plans are underway for the return of additional Iranians to the Islamic Republic.
Baghaei stated, based on U.S. assertions, that the repatriated individuals were deported due to legal reasons and alleged breaches of immigration regulations. However, the U.S. government has yet to confirm the details of these deportation flights, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.
The deportations reflect a significant policy shift under the Trump administration, which has prioritized targeting illegal immigration and increased scrutiny on Iranians in the U.S., contrasting the long-standing practice of providing refuge to Iranian exiles and dissidents since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Previously, in September, it was reported that around 400 Iranians could potentially be subject to deportation under the current administration's immigration policies. The ongoing deportation flights mark a departure from past U.S. practices that allowed many fleeing persecution in Iran to seek asylum.
As relations between the U.S. and Iran worsen, concerns mount regarding the treatment of returning Iranian deportees within a regime known for its stringent policies against dissidents and opposition figures.
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Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
