By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - The Trump administration plans to deport at least 40 Iranian nationals to Iran as early as Sunday, amid escalating tensions with Tehran about its deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, according to a report Friday.
Those facing deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are afraid for their safety if returned to Iran, the MSNOW news outlet reported, citing a former ICE official and a US lawmaker.
The deportation flight is set to leave Sunday from the state of Arizona, it reported, adding that it is unclear how many had active asylum claims or were in the US legally.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not comment on the report.
Iran has been rocked by waves of protests since Dec. 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, because of a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations later spread to other cities.
According to the latest data by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the death toll from protests in Iran rose to 5,002.
Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of backing "armed rioters," who have carried out several attacks in public places nationwide.
US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to "hit hard" if protesters were killed, but later commended Tehran for reportedly canceling hundreds of scheduled executions.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump is pressing aides for “decisive” military options against Iran after stepping back from potential strikes.