sports
DHS to let Iranian soccer team enter US two days before World Cup match
The Iranian soccer team will be permitted to travel to Seattle two days early after the Department of Homeland Security changed the guidelines placed on the team amid the ongoing war in Iran.
TL;DR
- Iranian soccer team allowed to enter U.S. two days before match in Seattle.
- Department of Homeland Security changed prior guidelines.
- Team previously allowed only 24 hours in the U.S. for matches.
- Policy change follows threats of a FIFA complaint by the Iranian team.
- Homeland Security cited security concerns, including an individual with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempting to board the team's plane.
- Team's training base was relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico.
- Iran earned a World Cup spot before a joint U.S. and Israeli attack.
- U.S. and Iran are engaged in peace talks regarding nuclear weapons development.