U.S. Deports Russians to Iran Amid Military Strikes
In 2025, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported several Russian citizens to Iran during a period of heightened military activity against Iran's nuclear facilities, alongside mass deportations of Iranian nationals. The operation, reportedly ordered directly from the White House, faced legal challenges due to violations of court orders and lack of proper documentation.
Consensus
- In 2025, ICE conducted mass detentions and deportations of Iranian nationals.
- During the same period, the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
- Russian and Egyptian citizens were among those deported on the same flights as Iranian nationals.
- Some individuals deported had court orders preventing their removal from the U.S.
- The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) filed a lawsuit against ICE and obtained documents via the Freedom of Information Act.
- At least 577 Iranian nationals were detained in 2025, with 192 deported in July alone.
- The deportation order reportedly came directly from the White House.
- Todd Lyons, then acting head of ICE, prioritized the operation.
Points of divergence
- A citizen of Iran was deported on 30 September 2025 from Qatar, despite not being on the official list. — vedomosti
- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 20 August 2025 about Iran refusing a deal and announced a 'most devastating economic operation' against Iran. — vedomosti
- J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, praised Trump's actions in the Middle East on 21 August 2025. — vedomosti
- The deportation order was issued during the same period when U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran's nuclear sites. — kommersant
- Two individuals previously held in Guantanamo Bay were on the deportation flight. — kommersant
- The operation involved the Qatari special security unit 'Lewiya'. — vesti
- An ICE employee interacted with the Iranian interests section at the Pakistani embassy, requesting inclusion of additional individuals based on humanitarian grounds. — vesti
Coverage (3 sources)
- Media: several Russians deported to Iran before the war in the Middle East — Ведомости
- RTVI: USA deported Russians to Iran during strikes on nuclear facilities — Коммерсантъ
- USA expelled several Russians to Iran in 2025 — Вести