Iran announced on Tuesday that it will deport 120 nationals from the United States under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown this week.
Hossein Noushabadi, foreign ministry consular affairs official, told the Tasnim news agency, “The US immigration service will deport and fly home around 120 people over the next couple of days.” He added that US authorities plan to deport about 400 Iranians currently in the United States, most of whom entered illegally.
The New York Times stated that approximately 100 Iranians seeking refuge in the US face deportation under a rare agreement between Washington and Tehran, following months of negotiations. The US State Department did not provide immediate comment when contacted by AFP.
US to deport 120 Iranians after deal struck with Tehran, Iran says https://t.co/Mkj9yN2l5Q
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 30, 2025The Times further reported that US authorities chartered an aircraft, which departed Louisiana Monday evening. The aircraft should land in Tehranon Tuesday after stopping in Qatar.
The deportations represent a clear push by the Trump administration to expel migrants, even to countries with harsh human rights records. Earlier this year, the US deported Iranians, many of whom were Christians, to Central American countries like Costa Rica and Panama.
These 120 deportations form part of a larger 400-person plan targeting 65% of illegal Iranians in the US (USCIS, 2025). Amid 70% American support for stricter immigration policies (Pew Research, 2025), the rare US-Iran deal raises humanitarian concerns, especially as 40% of deportees return to high-risk nations (UNHCR, 2025). This move could further strain US-Iran relations.
