They had been taking part in the Asian Women’s CupSeveral players from the Iranian women’s national team are reportedly being kept in a safe house operated by the Australian Federal Police - and US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the matter. It comes after claims that five players have defected amid the ongoing war between Iran and the United States. The Iranian team had been in Australia for the Asian Women’s Cup when US-Israeli airstrikes flattened parts of Tehran and killed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These people must be dealt with more severely.”The Iranian women's team protested by not singing the anthem earlier in the tournamentPresident Donald Trump issued a plea over the Iran team on Monday. He posted on Truth Social: "Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman's Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed.

Source: Express March 09, 2026 15:15 UTC