Top Diplomat Revokes US Residency of Qassem Soleimani's Outspoken Niece

The US State Department has revoked the US residency status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of slain Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. According to a statement, the decision was made due to Afshar's status as an 'outspoken supporter' of Iran.

Qassem Soleimani, the former head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020, a move that significantly escalated tensions between the US and Iran. Afshar, Soleimani's niece, has been an outspoken critic of the US and a vocal supporter of her uncle's legacy.

The State Department cited Afshar's public statements and social media activity as the primary reasons for revoking her US residency, stating that she has used her platform to promote Iranian propaganda and to undermine American interests.

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This move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the US government to target individuals and entities associated with the Iranian regime. The Trump administration had designated the Quds Force as a foreign terrorist organization, and the Biden administration has maintained a tough stance towards Iran, including the imposition of additional sanctions.

Afshar, who was a permanent resident of the US, has condemned the decision, describing it as a violation of her civil rights and a politically motivated attack on her family. She has vowed to challenge the decision in court, arguing that the US government is infringing on her freedom of speech and expression.

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The revocation of Afshar's US residency status underscores the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, and the Trump administration's efforts to isolate the Iranian regime and its supporters. As the Biden administration continues to navigate the complexities of the US-Iran relationship, this case is likely to have broader implications for the treatment of individuals with ties to the Iranian government.