Following the US airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear sites, the Trump administration has taken action by apprehending “Iranian Army snipers” allegedly living illegally in the country.
Last weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 11 Iranian nationals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that among those detained is Ribbar Karimi, who reportedly served as an Iranian Army sniper for about four years. At the time of his arrest on Sunday, he was said to be in possession of Iranian Army identification cards.
DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Under NOEM Secretary, we have identified and arrested known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists who entered the country illegally.” She added that they are committed to pursuing those entering through what she described as “Biden’s fraudulent parole program.”
McLaughlin continued by saying, “We’ve stated we’re getting the worst of the worst, and we are,” emphasizing that the administration will not wait for further military action but will act proactively to support President Trump’s objective of securing neighborhoods.
According to DHS, Karimi entered the US on a K-1 visa, which is specifically for individuals engaged to American citizens, but he reportedly failed to meet the legal requirements for adjusting his immigration status and is currently in ICE custody pending deportation.
Other Iranian detainees showed concerning backgrounds as well. In St. Paul, Minnesota, 56-year-old Melan Makari Saheli was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and had defied a removal order from June 2022. Saheli is also noted as a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, which has acknowledged its connections to Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist group by the US.
The arrests of these individuals, alleged to have extremist associations, have prompted calls from local lawmakers for increased security funding. One representative, Emmer, remarked on the urgency of passing significant legislation to enhance community safety.
Another detainee, Yousef Mehridehno, was apprehended by an ICE officer in Glackstadt, Mississippi. He was previously a permanent resident but lost that status after deceptive information was uncovered in his visa application. He has been categorized as a known or suspected terrorist.
ICE has also detained Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, another Iranian national with a history of legal troubles including possession of firearms and threats against law enforcement. Alongside him, a U.S. citizen named Linet Vartaniann was allegedly caught threatening an ICE officer.
Reports indicate that various arrests included individuals connected to drug offenses, assaults, and even child abuse, as well as others ordered for removal from the US. These detentions come in the wake of coordinated air strikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, aimed at disabling Iran’s potential nuclear capabilities.
In response to the US strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi condemned the actions, declaring that Washington is entirely accountable for the repercussions of its aggression. He affirmed that Iran would explore all options to protect its security and citizens.
Iran’s military response was limited, launching missiles at a US air base in Qatar, which was publicly warned beforehand. President Trump later announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, putting an end to the recent hostilities between the two nations.
Since the airstrikes, DHS has cautioned about a heightened threat environment in the US, though no specific threats have been identified. The administration suggests the possibility of “low-level cyberattacks” from Iranian hacktivists.
Following Trump’s reelection in November, prosecutors charged three individuals allegedly involved in a conspiracy related to attempts on his life and that of other adversaries, stemming from previous US actions against Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
