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Second deportation flight arrives in Iran
Iranian officials confirmed on Sunday that a second group of Iranian nationals deported from the United States had landed in Iran, marking another rare instance of cooperation between the two governments despite deepening diplomatic tensions.
Flight details and official responses
A chartered aircraft carrying over 50 Iranians departed from Mesa, Arizona, making stops in Cairo and Kuwait before reaching Iran, according to reports. Tehran's foreign ministry verified the return of its citizens, though U.S. immigration authorities declined to comment, citing security protocols.
The first such deportation occurred in late September, following months of heightened U.S. immigration enforcement.
Concerns over vulnerable groups
Advocates for migrants raised alarms about the fate of those deported, particularly individuals from marginalized communities. Father Joseph Bach, affiliated with the Franciscan organization Borderland Companions of Hope, reported that Christian converts and LGBT individuals were among those removed from an Arizona detention facility.
"This is the most unchristian thing to do. It's scary, it concerns me, it is not OK. I call this a death flight."
Father Joseph Bach, Borderland Companions of Hope
In Iran, both groups face severe legal and social consequences, including persecution under the country's laws.
Conflicting accounts on voluntary returns
Iranian state media, citing a consular official, claimed the deported individuals had "expressed willingness to return" due to the U.S. administration's "anti-immigration and discriminatory policies." However, a detainee interviewed by the BBC contradicted this narrative, stating that not all returnees had consented to deportation.
One man, speaking from an Arizona detention center, revealed he and his partner had entered the U.S. on foot from Mexico earlier this year. He told the BBC he feared for his life if forced to return to Iran.
Broader context of U.S.-Iran relations
The deportations occur against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Washington and Tehran. Tensions escalated in June after the U.S. conducted airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, further straining diplomatic channels.
The removals underscore the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, which prioritize border security and reducing unauthorized migration as key priorities.
