Grandniece of Slain Iranian General Faces Backlash Over Lavish, Hijab-Free Lifestyle in US

Sarinasadat Hosseiny's arrest by ICE and revoked green card shine spotlight on her glamorous social media presence at odds with Iran's strict dress laws.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:41am

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Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the 25-year-old grandniece of slain Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, has faced intense backlash online after her arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the subsequent revocation of her green card. Photos and videos of Hosseiny's lavish, hijab-free lifestyle in the US, including wearing Western clothing like bikinis and evening gowns, have circulated widely, drawing criticism from those who note the stark contrast with the legal restrictions on women's dress in Iran.

Why it matters

Hosseiny's case highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the Iranian regime, its treatment of women, and the perceived double standards when it comes to the freedoms enjoyed by the elite and their families abroad versus the harsh realities faced by ordinary Iranian women who defy the country's strict dress code laws.

The details

Hosseiny, along with her mother Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, were arrested by ICE on April 3rd. Their green cards were subsequently revoked, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Afshar 'promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East.' Hosseiny's social media presence, which has since been deleted, showcased a lavish lifestyle of travel, designer labels, and leisure activities that stood in stark contrast to the realities faced by women in Iran, where wearing a hijab is legally mandated.

  • Hosseiny and her mother were arrested by ICE on April 3, 2026.
  • Hosseiny's green card was revoked following her arrest.

The players

Sarinasadat Hosseiny

The 25-year-old grandniece of slain Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who was arrested by ICE and had her green card revoked.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar

The 47-year-old niece of Qasem Soleimani, who was arrested by ICE along with her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny.

Qasem Soleimani

The slain Iranian general who was dubbed a 'terror mastermind' and was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad in 2020.

Marco Rubio

The US Secretary of State who confirmed the arrests of Hosseiny and Afshar and stated that their green cards have been revoked.

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What they’re saying

“The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.”

— Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State

“The security forces in Iran threw acid on Marziyeh for not covering her hijab 'properly'. And this one? The grandniece of Qasem Soleimani the slain IRGC commander, in a luxury life in America, without hijab. Yes for us ordinary women in Iran: show our hair, lose our face, beaten by morality police, arrested, blacklisted, and even get killed like Mahsa, Jina Amini.”

— Masih Alinejad

What’s next

The case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if Hosseiny and her mother will face further legal consequences or potential deportation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the stark contrast between the freedoms enjoyed by the elite and their families abroad, and the harsh realities faced by ordinary Iranian women who defy the country's strict dress code laws. It also raises questions about the enforcement of such laws and the potential double standards at play.