Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 11 Iranian men over the weekend who were living in the U.S. illegally and have either criminal histories or alleged ties to terrorist organizations, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The arrests came as U.S. airstrikes targeted nuclear facilities in Iran, heightening national security concerns.
In addition to the 11 arrests, ICE also detained a U.S. citizen accused of harboring one of the Iranian nationals and threatening to shoot federal officers.
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While DHS has not confirmed that any of those arrested were involved in specific terrorist plots, the arrests come days after reports that Iran had threatened to activate sleeper cells in the U.S. in retaliation for American military actions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated there are currently no credible threats on U.S. soil.
Among those arrested:
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Ribvar Karimi, an Iranian army sniper from 2018 to 2021, was arrested in Locust, Alabama. He had entered the U.S. on a K-1 fiancée visa in 2024 but failed to adjust his immigration status.
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Mehran Makari Saheli, 56, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps member with alleged Hezbollah ties, was arrested near St. Paul, Minnesota. He previously served 15 months in prison for a firearm conviction.
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Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, arrested in Tempe, Arizona, had been in the U.S. since 2012. He was found with Linet Vartaniann, a U.S. citizen who allegedly threatened to shoot ICE officers.
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Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, arrested in Houston, entered on an F-1 student visa in 2016.
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Hamid Reza Bayat, also arrested in Houston, had been ordered deported in 2005 and has multiple convictions, including drug offenses and driving with a suspended license.
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Mahmoud Shafiei and Mehrdad Mehdipour were arrested at their home in Colorado Springs. Shafiei had a deportation order dating back to 1987 and a lengthy criminal record, including assault and child abuse.
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Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, 62, arrested in San Francisco, had prior convictions for theft and drug possession, and served 10 years in prison.
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Mohammad Rafikian, 65, arrested in Buffalo, New York, had convictions for grand larceny, fraud, criminal impersonation, and illegal legal practice.
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Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, 57, arrested in San Diego, was convicted of forging an official seal.
Separately, New York immigration attorney Farzad Siman reported that ICE also detained a client, a 48-year-old Christian convert from Iran identified only as Ali, who had been granted asylum last year. Despite his clean record and consistent compliance with ICE check-ins, Ali was taken into custody without explanation.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department remains committed to identifying and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety and national security:
“DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country.”
