Hundreds of Iranians held on US immigration charges will be deported to Iran

‘The United States will deport hundreds of Iranians back to Iran in the coming weeks, with the first 120 deportees being prepared fora flightin the next day or two, Iran said Tuesday.

- AGENCIES

The deportation of Iranians, not yet publicly acknowledged by the U.S. government, comes as tensions remain high between the two countries following the American bombings of Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Meanwhile, the United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran this past week over its nuclear program, putting new pressure on the Islamic Republic's ailing economy.

The deportations also represent a collision of a top priority of President Donald Trump — targeting illegal immigration — against a decadeslong practice by the US. of welcoming Iranian dissidents, exiles and others since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.