Iran has strongly criticized the United States’ decision to impose a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran, calling it a sign of “deep hostility” towards Iranians and Muslims. The ban, signed by President Donald Trump on June 4, 2025, targets nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, in addition to Iran. A partial ban has also been imposed on travelers from seven other countries.
Alireza Hashemi-Raja, the foreign ministry’s director general for the affairs of Iranians abroad, described the measure as “a clear sign of the dominance of a supremacist and racist mentality among American policymakers”. He emphasized that the decision “indicates the deep hostility of American decision-makers towards the Iranian and Muslim people” and violates fundamental principles of international law. The ban, set to take effect on June 9, would deprive “hundreds of millions of people of the right to travel based solely on their nationality or religion”, Hashemi-Raja added.
The US government has justified the ban as a necessary measure to protect against “foreign terrorists”, citing a firebomb attack at a pro-Israel rally in Colorado. However, Iran’s foreign ministry official maintains that the policy is discriminatory and would entail international responsibility for the US government. The strained relations between Iran and the US, which severed diplomatic ties after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, are expected to worsen with this new development.
The travel ban echoes Trump’s first-term restrictions, which barred travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations. Critics argue that such blanket bans are unjust and violate international law. With approximately 1.5 million Iranians living in the United States, the ban’s implications are significant, and its impact on families, students, and legitimate travelers remains a concern.