US revokes residency of Qasem Soleimani's relatives

Kathmandu. The United States has arrested two relatives of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in 2020. Those arrested include Soleimani's niece and grand-niece.

According to the US Department of State, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the permanent residency permits (Green Cards) of the individuals, who had been residing in the United States.

The US has accused Soleimani's niece of acting as a staunch supporter of the Iranian regime while living in the US and being active in spreading Iranian propaganda.

A statement issued by the US Department of State said, 'The Trump administration is committed to preventing this country from becoming a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.'

Qasem Soleimani, the then-commander of Iran's powerful 'Quds Force', was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, in 2020. Relations between the US and Iran have further deteriorated since his death. Four years after his killing, the US has taken this strict action against his relatives.