Soleimani's Relatives Arrested in U.S. for Lavish Lifestyles

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The U.S. State Department announced the arrest of Qasem Soleimani's niece, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny in Los Angeles. Hosseiny's social media accounts showed she was living a lavish, vacation-centered lifestyle in the U.S. despite no visible means of income.

Why it matters

The arrests highlight concerns about family members of Iranian regime figures exploiting their connections to live extravagantly in the U.S. while promoting the Iranian government's agenda. It also raises questions about immigration policies and oversight of individuals with ties to designated terrorist organizations.

The details

Hosseiny, 25, and her mother Afshar were arrested after the State Department terminated their permanent resident status and revoked their green cards due to their alleged connections to Iran's terrorist regime. Hosseiny's social media showed her frequently traveling by private jet, sunbathing on yachts, and partying at music festivals, with no evidence of any income-generating work.

• Hosseiny first entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2015.
• Hosseiny was granted a green card by the Biden administration in 2023.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny out on bail.