Two women with familial ties to an Iranian military leader have found themselves embroiled in controversy after their lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles was brought to light. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, who are said to be the niece and grand-niece, respectively, of the late Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Both women allegedly used social media to flaunt their opulent lifestyle while also promoting anti-U.S. sentiments.
Details of the Arrests
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the pair had their green cards revoked due to Afshar’s outspoken support for the Iranian regime, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by U.S. officials. The arrests occurred just days after Afshar made remarks praising the Iranian leadership and criticizing the United States.
The women had previously shared numerous posts online that depicted a lifestyle filled with luxury—pictures of designer outfits and high-end activities, including rides in luxury vehicles. As of now, their social media accounts appear inactive, with their posts mostly inaccessible.
Public Reaction and Context
The circumstances have ignited a wave of reactions, particularly on social media, where users condemned the irony of Afshar promoting a regime that restricts women’s rights while showcasing her glamorous lifestyle. One person commented on an Instagram post, expressing disbelief that someone could support such an oppressive government and yet live indulgently in America.
Maziar Aflaki, a critic of the Iranian government who claims to have met Afshar previously, expressed his approval of the arrests, deeming that individuals openly espousing anti-American sentiments had no place in the United States. He revealed that Afshar had recently reached out to him for advice after the FBI made inquiries into her situation.
Secretary Rubio stated that while living in the U.S., Afshar’s actions included promoting ideas favoring the Iranian regime and denouncing America. He emphasized that the Trump administration’s stance is clear: the country will not provide refuge to those who sympathize with terror organizations.
After entering the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2015 and subsequently gaining asylum in 2019, Afshar was granted her green card in 2021. Her daughter followed a similar path, arriving on a student visa and achieving asylum status. However, officials claimed that Afshar’s travel back to Iran undermined her asylum claims, indicating potential deceit in her application process.
Currently, both women are being held in an ICE facility located in Pearsall, Texas, as their situation unfolds.
