Australia said Monday it is granting asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, responding to concerns that the players would be harmed if they returned to their home country.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the decision after the plight of the team received global attention – including from President Trump, who said the U.S. would welcome team members if Australia kicked them out.
Mr. Burke said the women were taken to a safe location by federal police early Tuesday, local time.
“I say to the other members of the team, the same opportunity is there,” Mr. Burke said. “Australia has taken the Iranian women’s soccer team into our hearts.”
The Iranian players stood silent during the national anthem for their first match of the Women’s Asian Cup, and members of the Iranian regime, which is at war with the U.S. and Israel, might interpret their silence as treason.
Mr. Trump, writing on social media, urged Australia to protect the women.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social. “Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
Mr. Trump softened his tone in a later post, saying Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared to be taking proactive steps to address the situation.
“He’s on it!” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Members of the team sang the anthem in their second and third matches, but concerns linger after their silence in the initial fixture.
The team lost over the weekend, meaning they must exit the cup and face an excruciating choice between returning home, where they could be harmed by the regime, and staying put and being separated from their families.
Supporters crowded the team bus on Sunday and chanted, “Save our girls.”
The team crisis is unfolding while the U.S. military bombards Iran, with Mr. Trump saying Tehran did not agree to American demands during negotiations over the Islamic republic’s nuclear ambitions, missile programs and support for terrorist proxies in the Middle East.
Iran has retaliated with strikes on Gulf states and clamped down on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil tankers.
Mr. Trump said Mr. Albanese was doing what he could to help the soccer team while respecting the wishes of players who wanted to return.
“Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return,” Mr. Trump wrote. “In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.”
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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