The life Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, built in Los Angeles shattered on Friday with her arrest, alongside her mother, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar. The dramatic takedown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed a hidden connection to one of Iran’s most formidable figures.
Hosseiny, the grand-niece of the late Qasem Soleimani, had seemingly embraced a world far removed from the strictures of her family’s homeland. Her social media painted a picture of a glamorous American existence, filled with travel and a carefree spirit.
For years, Hosseiny enjoyed life in the United States, initially arriving on a student visa in 2015. She eventually secured permanent residency in 2023, a status abruptly revoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to concerns over her family’s ties to the Iranian regime.
Images from her online presence showcased trips to vibrant cities like Miami, Las Vegas, and the vast landscapes of Alaska. She was often seen at music festivals, radiating joy and freedom, a stark contrast to the image projected by her family’s political affiliations.
The contrast deepened with photos depicting Hosseiny on private aircraft and yachts, adorned in clothing – bikinis and miniskirts – that would be strictly prohibited in Iran. This lifestyle stood in sharp relief to the views expressed by her mother.
While living in California, Soleimani Afshar publicly referred to America as the “Great Satan” online and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department. These statements fueled the scrutiny that ultimately led to their arrests.
The revocation of both women’s green cards occurred mere hours before ICE agents moved in, signaling a decisive action by authorities. This action is part of a larger, intensifying crackdown targeting individuals with alleged connections to Iran.
Qasem Soleimani, Hosseiny’s grandfather’s brother, was a towering figure in Iranian military power. As commander of the elite Quds Force, a unit within the IRGC, he orchestrated Iran’s regional policies for decades before his death in a 2020 US drone strike.
Former President Trump recently revisited Soleimani’s death, describing him as “an evil genius” and suggesting Iran’s current position in ongoing conflicts would be stronger had he survived. The legacy of Soleimani continues to cast a long shadow.
Soleimani Afshar initially entered the US on a tourist visa in 2015 and later sought asylum, which was granted in 2019 before receiving a green card in 2021. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now alleges her asylum claim was based on fraudulent information.
The IRGC, the organization Hosseiny’s mother allegedly supported, was officially designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US in 2019, further solidifying the government’s concerns. The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts to counter perceived threats linked to the Iranian regime.
Narjes Soleimani, the daughter of the late commander, vehemently denies any connection between her cousins and her father, accusing Washington of fabricating claims to justify their actions. The case has ignited a debate about the extent of familial responsibility and the pursuit of justice.
