The United States has detained two relatives of former Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, according to a statement cited from the U.S. State Department, in a move that comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. officials said the two individuals—identified as the daughter and granddaughter of Soleimani’s sister—were taken into custody on Friday. The State Department added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is overseeing steps to terminate their residency status in the United States, though no further details were provided regarding the circumstances of their detention.
The development comes as tensions sharply rise following recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences. Trump warned that “time is running out,” threatening major escalation if Tehran fails to comply.
Last week, Trump announced a temporary 10-day suspension of U.S. strikes on Iranian energy facilities, saying the pause was granted at Iran’s request. However, he has since reignited controversy by suggesting that control over Iranian oil resources could form part of a broader strategy, framing the crisis in both military and economic terms.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that with more time, the United States could “easily open the Strait of Hormuz, take the oil, and generate enormous wealth,” adding that such a move would create a major global oil flow.
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