Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Emails Show US and Iran Coordinated Deportation Flights
U.S. immigration officials sent several groups of Iranians back to Iran on three flights.
The flights happened in September and December 2025 and January 2026.
More than 100 people were involved.
Newly released emails show that Iranian officials asked the Americans to change some passenger lists.
Some people were added or moved through the process faster.
Not every request was accepted.
The cooperation happened even though the United States and Iran had serious tensions.
The emails also show a change from the United States’ earlier practice of offering refuge to many people who left Iran after 1979.
Released emails show U.S. immigration officials coordinated three flights returning more than 100 Iranians to Iran in September and December 2025 and January 2026.
The emails were obtained by the National Iranian American Council and released on August 18.
Iranian officials appeared to influence deportation manifests by requesting additions, removals, and expedited processing.
One ICE official wrote that Iran had requested changes, while other requests were reportedly denied on the day of a departure.
The disclosures reveal cooperation despite tensions and a deadly 12-day war, contrasting with the United States’ longstanding refuge for many Iranians after 1979.
- Who
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and Iranian government officials, including representatives of the Iranian Embassy.
- What
- They coordinated three deportation flights returning more than 100 Iranians to Iran, with Iranian officials requesting changes to passenger lists.
- When
- The flights occurred in September and December 2025 and January 2026; the emails were released on August 18.
- Where
- The flights departed from the United States and returned people to Iran.
- Why
- The coordination was used to arrange deportations and process removals, including changes requested by Iranian officials.
- Flights
- Three deportation flights took place in September and December 2025 and January 2026.
- People affected
- More than 100 Iranians were returned to Iran.
- Source of emails
- The National Iranian American Council obtained and released hundreds of emails.
- Iranian requests
- Iranian officials requested additions to manifests, amendments, and expedited removals.
- First flight timing
- The Iranian Embassy was still requesting additions three days before the first flight was scheduled to depart.
- Uncertainty
- The emails do not establish who ultimately traveled on the first flight.
- Broader context
- The coordination followed a deadly 12-day war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in June 2025.