US Sends Second Charter Flight With 55 Iranian Deportees

By Manisha Sahu | America News World | December 8, 2025

A second chartered flight carrying Iranian nationals deported from the United States has departed, marking another significant development in the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on undocumented immigrants and foreign nationals living without proper legal authorization. According to Iranian officials, the aircraft is carrying a total of 55 Iranians, along with Russian and Arab nationals who were also subject to deportation orders.

“A plane transporting undocumented immigrants expelled from the United States. (Photo: Reuters/ File)”

The flight, first reported by Iran’s judiciary-linked Mizan news agency, underscores the deep political divide between Washington and Tehran—two nations that have not shared diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Despite the lack of formal ties, coordination on deportation processes has periodically taken place, though often accompanied by political tension and public scrutiny.

Details of the Deportation Flight

Iranian authorities confirmed that the chartered flight left the United States on Sunday and is scheduled to make stops in Egypt and Kuwait. A New York Times report quoting an Iranian official stated that Arab and Russian passengers will disembark in Cairo. The Iranian deportees will continue onward to Kuwait, where they will transfer to a Kuwait Airways charter flight arranged specifically for their final journey to Tehran.

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that plans were already in place for the arrival of the 55 Iranians who opted or were compelled to return. “There were arrangements made in accordance with their travel documents and coordination with relevant authorities,” he said, noting that Tehran had been monitoring the situation closely.

Mojtaba Shasti Karimi, another senior official from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated that many of the deportees had expressed willingness to return following what he described as “the continuation of anti-immigration and discriminatory policies against foreign nationals, particularly Iranians, by the United States.”

Though the U.S. government has not provided detailed comments on the flight, several reports in American media emphasized that the deportations involved individuals who allegedly violated immigration laws. The Associated Press reported that the identities of the deportees, along with the precise reasons for their removal, remain unclear.

Historical Context: A Relationship Marked by Hostility

The latest deportation flight takes place against a backdrop of more than four decades of strained relations between Iran and the United States. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, diplomatic communication between the two nations has remained minimal at best.

Despite the absence of formal ties, the U.S. has long hosted a sizeable Iranian diaspora, including political dissidents, ethnic minorities, and religious groups who fled persecution. Over the years, Washington has granted asylum to hundreds of Iranians who claimed they could not safely return home.

Iran, however, has frequently criticized the United States for offering refuge to dissidents, activists, and members of groups opposed to the Iranian government. Officials in Tehran have previously accused Washington of sheltering individuals who committed crimes or undermined national stability.

The recent uptick in deportations signals a shift in the U.S. approach, especially under President Donald Trump, who has reinstated several hardline immigration measures. The administration’s renewed stance has reportedly led to an increase in deportation proceedings involving nationals from countries with historically adversarial relations with the U.S.

“The Iranian flag waves outside the UN office complex that hosts the IAEA headquarters. (Photo: Reuters/ File)”

A Multi-National Group Aboard the Plane

While 55 Iranians make up the largest group aboard the flight, the aircraft also includes Russian and Arab nationals, all of whom were ordered to leave the U.S. The New York Times report noted that these passengers will depart the aircraft during its stop in Cairo, Egypt. The remaining Iranian passengers will continue the journey to Kuwait City, where they will be transferred to a second plane.

The use of multiple stops and chartered aircraft reflects the complicated logistics involved in deporting individuals to countries without U.S. diplomatic missions. Without embassies or consulates to issue travel documents or handle processing, such deportation flights require direct coordination through secondary nations willing to facilitate transit.

Legal and Humanitarian Questions Remain Unanswered

One of the most pressing issues surrounding the deportations is the lack of publicly available information regarding the identities of the individuals on board. Immigration lawyers and human rights organizations argue that transparency is essential, especially when deportees may face risk upon return to their home countries.

The Associated Press noted that it remains unclear whether the Iranian deportees include asylum-seekers, long-term U.S. residents who overstayed visas, or individuals who committed immigration-related violations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, citing U.S. media reports, said that the individuals were removed due to “legal reasons and breach of immigration regulations.” However, no further details have been provided.

Human rights groups have warned that forced repatriation to Iran can carry serious consequences for certain individuals, particularly those with political affiliations, minority identities, or histories of vocal opposition to the Iranian government. As of now, there is no confirmation that the group includes such high-risk individuals.

A Second Flight in an Ongoing Deportation Process

This flight is the second such deportation flight in recent months, suggesting a broader enforcement pattern targeting Iranians without proper documentation. The Iranian government has acknowledged that further coordination with U.S. authorities may continue as more nationals come under review by immigration enforcement agencies.

While the Trump administration remains firm on its stance regarding immigration enforcement, the developments have drawn attention from international observers, who view the deportations as part of a broader geopolitical climate shaped by longstanding mistrust between the two nations.

Looking Ahead

As the deportees make their way back to Tehran, many questions remain regarding their circumstances in the United States and their future in Iran. With diplomatic channels closed and relations at a historic low, the situation underscores the human stories caught between two governments with a long legacy of conflict.

For now, the second chartered flight marks another chapter in a complex and emotionally charged issue that continues to unfold across borders, ideologies, and political histories.