TEHRAN, Iran — A second flight carrying Iranians deported from the United States has departed, according to Iranian officials, coinciding with reports of Washington planning to return hundreds of Iranian prisoners.
These deportations come amidst heightened tensions following U.S. military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities during conflicts with Israel. Concerns from activists continue to grow regarding the deportees' safety as Iran resumes heavy crackdowns on dissidents and increases the execution of prisoners to levels unseen in decades.
Reports from Mizan news agency, an official media outlet for Iran's judiciary, confirm the return of 55 Iranians willing to go back after feeling pressured by U.S. immigration policies. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that these individuals were sent back citing legal and immigration violations.
The U.S. government's acknowledgment of the deportations has been lacking, and it remains unclear when the aircraft will land in Tehran. Past statements indicate a potential return of up to 400 Iranian nationals due to stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Historically, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the U.S. has welcomed many Iranian dissidents, but the recent deportation trend marks a significant shift in policy. Iran has also been known to detain individuals with Western ties, using them in complex negotiations involving prisoner exchanges.
