Deportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

A U.S. deportation flight of Iranian nationals bound for Iran via Pakistan was abruptly canceled Sunday morning, according to Ali Rahnama, an attorney with the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund. He said at least eight Iranians were loaded onto a plane in Mesa, Arizona, for a route to Georgia and then to Pakistan. The flight was canceled without explanation. Court documents unsealed days ago in a July-filed civil lawsuit allege the U.S. government illegally shared confidential information about Iranians seeking asylum in the U.S. with Iranian officials. A DHS statement to The Associated Press said ICE does not comment on prospective removal operations, including flight schedules and destinations. Rahnama also claimed Iranian Interests Section officials visited detainees and said Iran would transport them from Pakistan.