Authorities in the United States have arrested the niece and grandniece of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq in 2020.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Soleimani's relatives had their permanent resident status revoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Authorities argue that his niece has continued to be an "open supporter" of the Iranian regime and has spread propaganda in the United States.
The official statement says that the previous administration will not allow the country to serve as a haven for foreign nationals who support regimes designated as terrorist or hostile to the U.S.
The case involves close relatives of one of Iran's most prominent commanders and is expected to increase tensions between the two countries.