Tehran has strongly condemned the United States for imposing a new travel ban on Iranian citizens and nationals from 11 other countries, calling it a sign of racial and religious discrimination. The travel ban was signed into law on Wednesday by U.S. President Donald Trump and will take effect on June 9.
Alireza Hashemi-Raja, the director general for the affairs of Iranians abroad at Iran’s foreign ministry, criticized the decision in a statement on Saturday. He called it “a clear sign of the dominance of a supremacist and racist mentality among American policymakers.” He said the decision reveals deep hostility toward Iranians and Muslim communities as a whole.
The new executive order follows a recent violent attack at a pro-Israel rally in Colorado. Authorities say over a dozen people were injured. The suspect is reportedly an Egyptian national who had overstayed a tourist visa. The U.S. government has defended the move as a national security measure in response to this attack.
In addition to Iran, the ban affects citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. A partial ban is also being imposed on travelers from seven other unnamed countries. Critics say the policy unfairly targets people based on their nationality or religion.
Iran’s foreign ministry argued that the new U.S. travel ban violates international law and basic human rights. Hashemi-Raja stated that it deprives millions of people of the right to travel simply because of where they were born or what religion they follow. He added that such policies come with international consequences and could create legal responsibilities for the U.S. government.
The move has further strained relations between Iran and the United States, which have been hostile for decades. The two countries cut diplomatic ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. Since then, political and economic tensions have only grown deeper.
Iran also pointed out that the United States is home to the largest community of Iranians living outside their home country. According to Iran’s foreign ministry, there were about 1.5 million Iranians living in the U.S. as of 2020. Many of these individuals have families and business ties in both countries and could be affected by the ban.
Iranian officials expressed concern that this policy may lead to increased isolation of Iranian Americans and others from Muslim-majority countries. Hashemi-Raja said that such actions damage diplomatic efforts and hurt the lives of ordinary people more than they improve security.
Human rights experts have also questioned whether the ban is truly effective in protecting national security. They argue that such broad restrictions often harm peaceful travelers, students, and families without addressing the root causes of violence.
The executive order has not yet been challenged in court, but legal action could follow. Past travel bans issued during Trump’s first term were heavily contested and led to multiple court battles. Critics say this new policy resembles the earlier bans that sparked protests and legal challenges across the U.S.
While Washington has not officially responded to Iran’s criticism, international groups and human rights advocates are watching closely. Many are concerned that the move sets a dangerous precedent by linking citizenship and religion to national security risk without evidence.
The Iranian foreign ministry says it will continue to follow up on the issue and explore options through international platforms. It also urged the global community to stand against policies that promote division and discrimination.
As the policy takes effect this week, many affected individuals and families remain uncertain about their ability to travel, reunite, or seek opportunities abroad.
