‘Absolutely insane’: Trump urges asylum for Iranian women’s soccer team who may be killed as ‘traitors’ for not singing regime’s national anthem
As Operation Epic Fury continues, President Donald Trump on Monday urged asylum for members of Iran’s women’s soccer team who could be killed by their own government as “traitors” for refusing to sing the Islamic Republic national anthem in Australia.
“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,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The Iranian women’s national football team refused to sing the anthem of the Islamic Regime. Tonight. At the opening match of the Asian Cup. In front of the entire world.
So, to all liberal Western women:
Watch and learn.
THIS is what real feminism looks like. pic.twitter.com/SriXGbipsY— Samantha Smith (@SamanthaTaghoy) March 3, 2026
The president also shared comments from self-described patriot and anti-communist Drew Pavlou, who summarized the danger.
“This story is absolutely insane,” said Pavlou. “Senior Iranian regime propagandists threatened to have members of the Iranian women’s football team killed because they didn’t sing the national anthem at a game in Australia this week.
“The women were then basically held under armed guard in Australia by Iranian officials to prevent them escaping – they were even seen making SOS signals on their team bus.
This story is absolutely insane.
Senior Iranian regime propagandists threatened to have members of the Iranian women’s football team killed because they didn’t sing the national anthem at a game in Australia this week.
The women were then basically held under armed guard in… pic.twitter.com/rtBJ2ka4QU
— Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) March 9, 2026
“The Australian government inexplicably dragged their feet on saving them right up until the last possible moment. Five girls just escaped and claimed asylum. The rest face a flight home tomorrow to almost certain persecution.
“This is the same Australian government which wants to import literal ISIS members from Syrian prison camps – they’ve spent the past month trying to get ISIS brides back on planes to Australia. But they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to protect 5 women fleeing Islamist persecution.”
Just before noon on Monday, Trump posted an update indicating: “I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! 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. In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”
SOS: IRAN’S WOMEN’S TEAM BEGS FOR HELP
Members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team were seen signaling “SOS” from their team bus in Australia after their Asian Cup exit.
The players had earlier refused to sing the Iranian national anthem, reportedly as a protest against… pic.twitter.com/CK5GHqy8on
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) March 9, 2026
Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad told Australia: “This is your moment. We need your support. Iran’s women’s football team refused to sing the regime’s anthem right after the killing of Ali Khamenei.
Hello Australia, this is your moment. We need your support.
Iran’s women’s football team refused to sing the regime’s anthem right after the killing of Ali Khamenei.
State TV called them “war-time traitors.”
Now they’re on a bus back to Iran, flashing the SOS hand signal through… pic.twitter.com/HhLtEgJKkC— Masih Alinejad ️ (@AlinejadMasih) March 8, 2026
“State TV called them ‘war-time traitors.’ Now they’re on a bus back to Iran, flashing the SOS hand signal through the window. I call on Australian government to them. Don’t send them back to danger. Please give them protection.”
Iran state TV shows a spokesman for Tehran saying: “You punish ‘traitors’ harder during war. Whoever takes one wrong step against the country during war, you have to respond to them harder. Like the story of our women’s national team not singing the anthem, you have to respond harshly. This is not a symbolic act or mere protest. Not singing the anthem is the highest order of treason. Both people and officials must treat them as traitors.”
See how these girls are being threatened by a regime spokesperson on state TV. Their lives is in grave danger: pic.twitter.com/7Pr6TJG7mV
— Golareh (@Golareh0) March 9, 2026
“Why did they do that after the killing of the ayatollah?” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast of Florida said to Harris Faulkner of Fox News on Monday.
“They were inspired by the opportunity for freedom. And our beg to Australia right now is do not send them back to certain death. Give them that opportunity of freedom right now that they were inspired to go out there and work to inspire their own people, their own nation, what we believe needs to be the 90 million boots on the ground to change direction for Iran.”
Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo called the situation “absolutely disgusting,” adding she would discuss the matter on her Tuesday broadcast of “Mornings with Maria.”
“Can’t they not get on the plane? Refuse to go back to Iran? Don’t go girls!”
Matthew Thistelethwaite, assistant foreign minister for Australia, said: “They must meet all of the conditions for the visa and that includes a security check and a health check. So there will be no special circumstances granted to anyone that’s competing in the Asian Women’s Cup.”
Fears for Iran’s women’s soccer team:
Peta Credlin clashes with One Nation’s James Ashby over Iranian soccer players.
Nick Cater nails it,
‘I think that we should extend exceptional help to these women under these circumstances’Well said, Nick. Pull your head in, James. pic.twitter.com/kKSpt3DsA9
— Timjbo (@TimjboAU) March 9, 2026
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