Pretending to be part of the Islamic Republic’s national soccer team, a man with connections to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) tried to enter the United States, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
“They tried to get someone in yesterday … he was supposed to be the president of the soccer federation. When we started doing the research on him, he had only been put in place since 2022, and we didn’t allow him to board the plane,” Mullin said, adding, “[He] had direct ties to the IRGC.”
Mullin explained that World Cup teams typically comprise 120 people, including players, support staff, and coaches. The United States accepted fewer than half that number into the country for Iran ahead of its match in Los Angeles.
“We accepted 53 individuals coming in, the rest of the individuals that Iran had tried to bring in, all also had direct ties to the IRGC and aren’t their normal traveling group. So, these games that Iran plays, unfortunately, makes them an adversary that you cannot trust,” Mullin said.
The news comes as negotiations with Iran appear to be regaining momentum after a tense weekend that threatened to derail the talks. Iranian officials warned they could close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, prompting a stern warning from President Donald Trump. “You close it and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f*cking country.”
Vice President JD Vance is currently in Switzerland leading negotiations with Iranian officials and said on Monday morning, “Yesterday was a very, very good day. We made a lot of good progress.”
On Sunday, the Iranians agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back into their country.
“That is a major milestone for the American people and the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran,” Vance said.
Following the vice president’s announcement, the Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Iranian oil for 60 days.
“In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland. Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.”
Adding to the push, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he will travel to the Middle East this week, where he is expected to meet with regional allies to discuss shared priorities and security.
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