The Soleimani Connection: US Revokes Residency of General’s Alleged Kin

Arrests and Revocation of Status:

The US State Department has announced the arrest of two women identified as the niece and grand-niece of the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. According to a statement released on Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the lawful permanent resident status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny.

Both women are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pending their formal removal from the country. Secretary Rubio characterized the pair as individuals who were “living lavishly in the United States” despite their alleged ties to the former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Allegations of Asylum Fraud:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided a detailed timeline of the women’s immigration history, citing inconsistencies that led to the current enforcement action:

Entry: Soleimani Afshar entered the US on a tourist visa in 2015.

Asylum: She was granted asylum in 2019 and received a green card in 2021.

The Discrepancy: During a 2025 naturalization application, Afshar revealed she had traveled to Iran four times since obtaining her green card.

‎”Her trips to Iran illustrate her asylum claims were fraudulent,” the DHS stated, noting that asylum is typically reserved for those with a credible fear of persecution in their home country.

Additionally, the State Department accused Afshar of being an “outspoken supporter” of the Iranian regime and using her social media presence to promote government propaganda. Her husband has also been barred from entering the United States.

The Soleimani Family Response:

The claims made by US officials have met stiff resistance from the General’s immediate family. Narjes Soleimani, the daughter of the late General, issued a statement categorically denying any familial link.

Denial of Kinship: She stated that the arrested individuals “have no connection whatsoever” to her father.‎

Criticism of US Policy: Narjes described the allegations as “false” and “fabricated lies,” suggesting the US is targeting her father’s legacy to project strength.

‎A Legacy of Conflict:

General Qasem Soleimani was the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force and was considered the architect of Iranian military operations across the Middle East. He was killed in a 2020 US drone strike at Baghdad airport, an operation ordered by then-President Donald Trump.

Reflecting on the commander’s influence during a recent national address, Trump described Soleimani as a “brilliant” but “horrible human being,” asserting that Iran’s strategic position in current regional conflicts would be significantly stronger had he remained alive.