World

US Secretly Discussed Deporting Iranian Nationals Amid Ongoing Conflict, Court Documents Show

By Subhadra Srivastava

U.S. officials under the Trump administration held confidential discussions with Iranian authorities about removing Iranian nationals through an unnamed third country as late as mid‑October, according to newly unsealed court filings. The documents, released Thursday, also show that U.S. immigration officials kept in touch with Iranian officials during the war to submit travel documents and explore “possible avenues for removal.” In an October 15 hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes questioned the government’s decision to deport individuals to a country the president had described as an enemy, noting the president’s recent statements that the country was “lawless” and had “murdered tens of thousands of protestors.” Reyes also raised concerns about the risks Iranian nationals would face if returned. Justice Department attorney Dimitar Georgiev‑Remmel defended the administration’s actions, stating the government was executing lawful orders of removal. The judge ordered the government to give 24‑hour notice of any finalized deportation plans and five days’ written notice before carrying out any deportation. The revelations come from a lawsuit alleging that U.S. immigration agencies shared confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government, potentially exposing them to persecution. The Department of Homeland Security has denied sharing asylum application records with Tehran. Hundreds of emails between U.S. immigration officials reportedly detail coordination to return more than 100 Iranians on three immigration flights in September and December 2025 and January 2026. Historically, deportations to Iran have been rare because Washington and Tehran lack diplomatic relations and returnees could face persecution. However, the Trump administration has pursued removals to countries with limited U.S. diplomatic cooperation, including El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. In June, an Iranian woman was among two dozen migrants deported to the Central African Republic.