Australia to grant visa to five Iranian women soccer players after Trump appeal


U.S. President Donald Trump embarks Air Force One as he departs to Dover, Delaware, from Miami, Florida, U.S., March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

SYDNEY, March ⁠10 (Reuters) - Australia on Tuesday ⁠agreed to provide visas ‌to five Iranian women's soccer players to stay in the country, ​after U.S. President ⁠Donald Trump urged ⁠Canberra not to send them ⁠back ‌to Tehran due to concerns over ⁠their safety.

Home Affairs Minister Tony ​Burke ‌told reporters the other members ⁠of ​the team were welcome to stay back in Australia. ⁠The team is in ​Australia for the Asian Cup tournament.

Trump said on Monday ⁠he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Iran women's ​soccer team after ⁠reports that five players ​had sought asylum ‌in Australia.

(Reporting by ​Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Franklin Paul)

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