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US to deport 120 Iranians after deal struck with Tehran, Iran says

September 30, 2025

Iran has announced that 120 of its nationals are being deported from the United States as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown, with the individuals expected to return to Iran within one or two days. According to Iranian foreign ministry official Hossein Noushabadi, most deportees had entered the US illegally through Mexico, though some hold valid US residency permits. This deportation represents the first phase of a larger agreement between Iran and the US to deport approximately 400 Iranian nationals, marking a rare instance of cooperation between the two countries which lack formal diplomatic ties.

Who is affected

  • 120 Iranian nationals being deported from the US
  • Eventually up to 400 Iranian nationals expected to be deported
  • Iranians who entered the US illegally, mainly through Mexico
  • Some deportees who hold valid US residency permits
  • Iranians who may fear persecution in their home country

What action is being taken

  • 120 Iranian nationals are currently being deported from the US to Iran via Qatar
  • Iran and the US are cooperating through Iran's US Interests Section at the Pakistani embassy in Tehran
  • The US is implementing President Trump's broader immigration crackdown
  • The US is establishing bilateral deportation agreements with various countries

Why it matters

  • This represents a rare instance of cooperation between Iran and the US, which don't have formal diplomatic ties
  • Human rights groups are concerned about deporting people to countries with controversial human rights records like Iran
  • UN experts have warned of a "dramatic escalation" in Iran's use of the death penalty this year
  • Some deportees may face persecution upon returning to Iran
  • This deportation aligns with President Trump's pledge to implement "the largest deportation programme of criminals in history"

What's next

  • The deportees are expected to return to Iran within one or two days
  • The remaining Iranian nationals (from the total of 400) will likely be deported in subsequent phases
  • The flight of deportees was expected to arrive in Iran on Tuesday (the day of the report)

Read full article from source: BBC