Following Trump's intervention, Australia grants humanitarian visas to players from the Iranian national team

The Australian government announced that it had granted humanitarian visas to five players from the Iranian women's national football team after their participation in the Asian Cup tournament held in Australia, in a move that came amid public pressure and fears that the players would be persecuted if they returned to Iran.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that he received a phone call early Tuesday morning from US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the fate of the Iranian players and the options available to ensure their protection.

Public pressure to grant asylum

Fans and observers had called on the Australian government to grant the players asylum after they refused to sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match in the tournament, raising fears that they would face harassment or punitive measures upon their return to their country.

Albanese confirmed that the Australian authorities had been following the case for some time, explaining that the five players were moved to a safe place after they requested assistance.

Offer of protection to the rest of the players

During a press conference, the Australian Prime Minister stated that his country was prepared to offer support to the remaining members of the national team should they wish to do so. He added, "This is a very delicate situation, but we are telling them clearly: if you want help, it is available, and we are ready to provide it.".

The national team players leave the hotel

In related developments, sports journalist Raha Pourbakhsh told CNN that at least seven players had left the team's hotel in Australia, while five of them had filed asylum claims with the Australian Federal Police.

Pourbakhsh, who works for Iran International, explained that the families of three of the players who received protection were threatened inside Iran, noting that the whereabouts of two other players are still unknown after they left the hotel.

Visa crisis for the head of the Iranian Football Federation

The sources also revealed that Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, was denied a visa to enter Australia when he tried to travel to bring the team back to his country, forcing the federation's vice president, Farideh Shojaei, to go in his place.

Trump: Their return to Iran is a "humanitarian mistake"

US President Donald Trump had written on his platform “Truth Social” that allowing the Iranian national team players to return to their country would be a “grave humanitarian mistake,” stressing that the United States was prepared to grant them asylum if Australia did not.

He later added that he had spoken with the Australian Prime Minister, noting that five players “have already been dealt with,” and that the rest of the players were on their way to getting help.

For his part, Albanese described the call with Trump as "very positive," stressing that he briefed him on the measures his government had taken in the past 48 hours to protect the players.

Tehran: Media campaign and psychological warfare

In contrast, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref considered the issue to be part of a "psychological war," accusing Trump of interfering in Iran's internal affairs.

Aref stressed that the Iranian government would guarantee the safety of the players, adding that "Iran welcomes its sons and daughters with open arms."