Arrests of Soleimani's Family Members Raise Tensions in US-Iran Relations

Sat Apr 04 2026 20:12:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Two relatives of the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani were arrested by the US government, heightening existing tensions in the region and impacting diplomatic relations between the countries.

The US has arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of General Qasem Soleimani, along with her daughter, claiming their residency status was revoked due to their support for the Iranian regime. This incident follows Soleimani's assassination in a US airstrike in 2020, reflecting ongoing hostility between the US and Iran.

The niece and grand-niece of the deceased commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen Qasem Soleimani, have been arrested, the State Department has said.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter's lawful US permanent resident status was revoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a statement released on Saturday said.

In a post on social media, Rubio stated that the two women were in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pending removal from the country.

Gen Soleimani, who was Iran's most powerful military commander, was killed in 2020 in a US air strike in Iraq which was ordered by then US President Donald Trump.

The State Department categorized Soleimani Afshar as an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran. It further noted she had promoted Iranian regime propaganda on her social media account.

Rubio shared his perspective on X, mentioning that Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States. Meanwhile, Soleimani Afshar's husband has also been barred from the US, although names were not disclosed.

Gen Qasem Soleimani led military operations through the elite Quds Force and was instrumental in Iran's strategy in the Middle East. The general was 62 years old at the time of his assassination, alongside other Iranian militia figures at Baghdad airport.

Reflecting on the implications of Soleimani's death, President Trump commented, stating he had eliminated a detrimental figure who significantly impacted warfare and military strategy in the region.