Sunday, June 8, 2025

Iran has strongly voiced its opposition to the new US travel restrictions, describing them as unfair measures shaped by prejudice. With these travel limitations scheduled to start on June 9, ordinary people find themselves directly impacted, and tensions between the United States and Iran—already strained from years of diplomatic disagreements—have deepened even further.

Alireza Hashemi-Raja, Director General for Iranians Abroad at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, condemned the restrictions, stating they clearly reflect a racist mentality embedded within American foreign policy. According to him, the new restrictions unfairly target Iranian citizens, along with Muslims in general, purely based on their nationality and religion.

He argued that such policies only deepen hostility and misunderstanding, potentially worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries. Hashemi-Raja insisted that the US policy blatantly discriminates against entire populations, violating basic rights to travel and mobility.

The travel restrictions issued by the US government will impact citizens from twelve countries, mostly from Africa and the Middle East. These include:

American officials have indicated the possibility of expanding or modifying the list, depending on future security assessments.

The US administration under President Donald Trump has justified these restrictive measures primarily on the grounds of national security. The administration pointed to incidents such as a recent violent attack during a pro-Israel gathering in Colorado—though notably, the attacker was from Egypt, a country that is not included in the current travel restrictions.

Critics highlight this discrepancy, questioning whether the restrictions genuinely address security concerns or rather reflect a targeted approach against specific Muslim-majority countries.

Iranian authorities have highlighted that these travel restrictions violate principles of international law, particularly concerning non-discrimination and the freedom of travel. Iran believes that this approach will expose the US government to international scrutiny and accountability.

By targeting specific nations, particularly Muslim-majority countries, Iranian officials argue that the US sets a troubling precedent of exclusionary policies based on nationality and religious background. Hashemi-Raja emphasized that such measures, founded on a racist mentality, contradict established global standards of human rights and equality.

These travel restrictions carry significant implications for the Iranian community in the US, estimated at around 1.5 million people according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry figures from 2020. This population represents the largest community of Iranian citizens living outside Iran, who will likely face challenges maintaining family connections, traveling, and conducting business between the two nations.

Relations between the United States and Iran have been severely strained since diplomatic ties were cut following Iran’s 1979 revolution. Despite decades of hostility, the presence of a large Iranian-American community underscores enduring cultural and social ties, complicating the personal and diplomatic impacts of the current restrictions.

These latest restrictions align with President Trump’s broader immigration strategy. Trump has criticized former US President Joe Biden’s policies, accusing them of contributing to rising crime levels. His administration aims to implement stricter immigration policies and tighter border controls to reinforce national security, using the current travel restrictions as part of that broader approach.

Iran continues to call for a rethink of these restrictive measures, urging the US to adopt policies that uphold human rights and honor international laws, ultimately prioritizing people’s dignity and freedoms.