The United States is deporting approximately 100 Iranian nationals to Iran, following an agreement between the U.S. and Iranian governments. A U.S.-chartered flight carrying these individuals departed from Louisiana on Monday night, with an anticipated arrival in Iran via Qatar on Tuesday. Anonymous senior Iranian and U.S. officials involved in the arrangements confirmed the plans.
This deportation occurs amidst an expanding U.S. campaign concerning migrant removals. Earlier this year, the U.S. also deported other Iranian individuals, some of whom were Christian converts reportedly facing persecution in Iran, to Costa Rica and Panama. These deportation efforts have prompted criticism and lawsuits from immigrant advocacy groups.
Historically, the United States has provided refuge to Iranians, citing concerns over Iran’s human rights record. This record includes reported persecution of women’s rights activists, political dissidents, journalists, lawyers, religious minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, among others.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/world/middleeast/us-iran-deportation-flight.html