Ankara: US President Donald Trump on Monday urged Australia to grant asylum to members of Iran's national women's soccer team, alleging the players could face grave danger if forced to return to their country.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to express his concerns, making unverified claims about potential violence against the athletes if they were forced back to Iran. He criticized Australia for making what he termed a "terrible humanitarian mistake" and appealed to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to offer asylum to the team. Trump stated that the United States would be willing to accept the players if Australia declined.
Trump mentioned that he had spoken with Albanese about the situation, noting that the Australian leader was addressing the issue. He indicated that five players had already been "taken care of," while others were concerned about the safety of their families back in Iran, fearing repercussions if they did not return.
The Iranian women's national football team had participated in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup hosted in Australia. The team garnered international attention after staging a silent protest against Tehran's government by remaining silent during the national anthem at their opening match. Despite the protest, the team was eventually eliminated from the tournament.
Anadolu learned earlier that five members of the team were seeking asylum in Australia. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) identified these players as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi. The broadcaster reported that these players had "evaded the team's handlers and are being protected by police in Queensland."
Athletes who seek asylum in Australia during international sporting events typically apply for protection under the country's refugee system, as reported by news.com.au. Once an application is submitted, applicants can usually remain in Australia on a bridging visa while their claims are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs.
Trump's appeal coincided with ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which entered their 10th day. The strikes, which began on February 28, resulted in over 1,200 fatalities, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials. Iran retaliated by targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel, leading to the deaths of seven US service members amidst the escalating conflict.