Detention of General Soleimani's Kin Raises Diplomatic Tensions

Sat Apr 04 2026 21:42:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The US government has detained two relatives of the late Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani, escalating already strained relations with Iran.

The niece and grand-niece of General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020, have been detained by US authorities. The State Department has revoked their residency status, citing their support for the Iranian regime's activities. This development underscores the continuing diplomatic tensions between the US and Iran.

The niece and grand-niece of the deceased commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen Qasem Soleimani, have been arrested, the State Department has said.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter's lawful US permanent resident status was revoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a statement released on Saturday said.

In a post on social media, Rubio said the two women were in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pending removal from the country.

Gen Soleimani, who was Iran's most powerful military commander, was killed in 2020 in a US air strike in Iraq which was ordered by then US President Donald Trump.

The State Department stated that Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran. It added that she had promoted Iranian regime propaganda on her social media account.

Soleimani Afshar's husband has also been barred from the US, though his name was not disclosed. Rubio emphasized that the detained family members were green card holders living lavishly in the United States.
Gen Qasem Soleimani spearheaded Iranian military operations in the Middle East as head of Iran's elite Quds Force and was killed at Baghdad airport, along with other Iranian-backed militia figures.