US and Iran Coordinated Deportations of Iranian Migrants Despite Tensions

Emails obtained from American immigration officials reveal that the United States and Iran cooperated on deporting Iranian migrants despite ongoing political tensions. The correspondence shows that the two countries coordinated the deportation of over 100 Iranian nationals on three separate flights scheduled for September and December 2025, and January 2026. This cooperation persisted even during a 12-day conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran in June 2025.

According to the emails, Iranian representatives influenced which migrants were deported, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials accommodating Tehran's requests to modify deportation lists. One official noted adding cases at the Iranian embassy's request just a month before the first flight. Another reported meeting with an Iranian embassy manager who urged expediting the deportations. Requests to add names continued up to three days before the flights.

The deportations were prioritized by senior Trump administration officials despite warnings about logistical challenges, including Iran's closed airspace and lack of travel documents amid the conflict. Todd Lyons, acting ICE director at the time, described the deportations as a priority, and Marcus Charles, responsible for removal operations, pushed his team to develop a plan for deporting 58 Iranians.

Some deportees reported being forced to meet with Iranian regime representatives while detained in US facilities, who had detailed information about their asylum claims. Eleven Iranian citizens filed affidavits stating they were compelled to meet with regime officials. The revelations sparked criticism from human rights activists. Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, condemned the deportations, arguing they contradicted President Trump's claims of protecting Iranians from their government and instead prioritized expelling as many people as possible by any means necessary.