Bilateral Cooperation: U.S. to Deport 120 Iranians Following Diplomatic Deal

Tue Nov 11 2025 00:16:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a rare instance of cooperation between the U.S. and Iran, authorities confirm the deportation of 120 Iranian nationals as part of a diplomatic deal designed to streamline the return of Iranian migrants.

Iranian authorities report that 120 Iranian nationals are being deported from the United States in a deal that highlights a rare moment of negotiation between Iran and the U.S. Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, U.S. officials have coordinated this deportation primarily for individuals who entered the country illegally, with additional deportations expected in the future. Concerns have been raised regarding the rights of migrants under this agreement.

Iran says 120 of its nationals are being deported from the US, a significant development amidst the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Iranian foreign ministry official Hossein Noushabadi reported that the Iranian deportees will return home within the next one or two days, primarily flown back via Qatar.

Many of these individuals reportedly entered the U.S. illegally, mainly through Mexico. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in Iranians seeking refuge in the U.S., fearing persecution back home.

The situation has attracted attention as the deportation marks a rare instance of cooperation between Iran and the U.S., who lack formal diplomatic ties. It was noted that this flight represents the first phase of a plan to deport around 400 Iranian nationals from the U.S.

Reports mention that some of those deported held valid U.S. residency permits, raising concerns over their treatment and the legal implications of their return. Noushabadi urged the U.S. government to respect the rights of Iranian migrants and their citizenship rights, aligning with international law.

The U.S. administration has not provided comments on this matter yet. The deal underscores a notable example of bilateral cooperation, contrasting with the usual narrative surrounding U.S.-Iran relations. Under President Trump, the U.S. has maintained a stringent stance on immigration, pledging to enact the largest deportation program in history, often targeting individuals irrespective of their asylum status.

Human rights groups have criticized Trump's immigration policies, warning of potential human rights violations faced by deported individuals. This deportation process raises questions about the safety and human rights conditions in Iran as reports detail a troubling rise in the imposition of the death penalty there amidst unfounded allegations against repatriated migrants.

While this incident reflects a facet of emerging cooperation, it remains to be seen how it will affect future relations and the broader landscape of U.S. immigration policies concerning Iranian nationals.