Iran says 120 of its nationals are being deported from the US as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration.
These individuals will return to the country within the next one or two days, Iranian foreign ministry official Hossein Noushabadi told Iran's Tasnim state news agency.
He said most of those being flown to Iran, via Qatar, had entered the US illegally - mainly through Mexico.
There has been an increased number of Iranians entering the US in recent years, with many fearing persecution at home.
The BBC has approached the White House and the US State Department for comment.
Noushabadi stated that some of those being deported held valid US residency permits, adding that US officials had sought their consent for their return.
He called on the US government to respect the rights of Iranian migrants and their citizenship rights under international law.
The New York Times, citing two senior Iranian officials familiar with the matter, reported that the flight of deportees was expected to arrive in Iran later on Tuesday.
Iran has been working with the US on a deal to remove the Iranian nationals through its US Interests Section at the Pakistani embassy in Tehran. This cooperation is a rare instance between Iran and the US, which do not have formal diplomatic ties.
Noushabadi indicated that as part of the deal, around 400 Iranian nationals are expected to be deported from the US, with this flight marking the first phase.
The US has already reached bilateral deportation agreements with several countries earlier this year.
Trump has pledged to reduce the flow of immigration to the US, targeting a record number of undocumented migrants, some facing deportation to countries with dubious human rights records.
His administration's strategy has been criticized by numerous human rights groups, highlighting concerns that deportees may face harm upon returning to their home countries.
Iran’s regime has faced international criticism for its human rights violations, and UN experts have raised alarms regarding an escalation in the use of the death penalty.
The Iranian government defends its execution policies, stating they are reserved for the most severe crimes, though this claim is disputed.
