Overview

• Iranian authorities say a plane left Louisiana, transited Qatar, and delivered more than 100 people to Iran on Tuesday.
• Iran says 120 were slated for return within days and that up to 400 nationals could ultimately be repatriated.
• Washington has not issued a detailed public confirmation, and the identities or immigration and asylum statuses of those removed remain unclear.
• Consular official Hossein Noushabadi says most entered via Mexico and that some held valid U.S. residency, while Iran urged respect for migrants’ rights and access to consular services.
• Tehran describes the action as unilateral even as the New York Times and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referenced sustained contacts, and the operation unfolds during a period of heightened U.S.–Iran tensions and a sharp departure from the 20 Iranian deportations recorded in FY2024.