Quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show

Newly released emails show U.S. immigration officials coordinated with Iran to arrange deportation flights of Iranian nationals in 2025 and into January 2026, despite escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. Obtained by the National Iranian American Council and released Tuesday, the hundreds of messages describe how Iranian officials had input on which people were placed on the deportation manifests and how ICE appeared to heed last-minute changes requested by Iran. The emails reference an ICE official adding cases “per request from the Iran Embassy,” and later adjusting lists after meeting with “the Director at the Iranian Embassy.” Ongoing requests continued up to the departure date, with some reportedly denied. The article notes the flights departed after a June 2025 ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Israel involving Iran.