More than 100 Iranian nationals are being returned to their home country this week in an unusual deportation arrangement between the United States and Iran. The operation represents a rare instance of coordination between the two nations, which typically maintain hostile relations.
According to Iranian authorities, approximately 120 individuals are scheduled to be flown back to Tehran in the coming days, with the total number of planned deportees potentially reaching 400. Most of those being returned had reportedly entered the United States illegally through the Mexican border, while others faced various immigration violations.
The transfer follows months of negotiations between American and Iranian officials, though Washington has not publicly confirmed the arrangement. The operation marks a significant departure from longstanding U.S. policy of providing refuge to Iranians, particularly those fleeing political persecution, religious discrimination, or threats related to gender and sexual identity.
Human rights organizations have expressed concern about returning individuals to a country where they might face danger. International law prohibits returning people to territories where their lives or freedom could be threatened, a principle known as “refoulement.”
Despite assurances from Iranian officials that the returnees will not face problems upon arrival, some deportees have reportedly expressed fear and disappointment about their return. United Nations experts have previously warned that diplomatic safety guarantees cannot be taken at face value.
The deportations occur amid broader efforts to increase removals of individuals living in the United States without legal status. While some detainees volunteered to return after months in custody, others are being forcibly removed.
This operation comes at a time of particularly strained relations between Washington and Tehran, following recent military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. The coordination on deportations stands in stark contrast to the typically adversarial relationship between the two governments.
