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Sunday, April 5, 2026

SoCal lives of niece, grandniece of Iranian Gen. Soleimani before they were arrested by ICE in dramatic raid

 The stunned Los Angeles renter of the property owned by the niece of Iranian terror mastermind Gen. Qasem Soleimani said he now realizes the mom and her daughter had been on ICE’s radar for some time before agents swooped on the quiet Tujunga home and hauled the pair away.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, 47, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, were arrested by ICE Friday and had their green cards revoked for ties to the Iranian regime.

Afshar had celebrated attacks on US soldiers and military facilities, praised Iran’s Supreme Leader, called America the “Great Satan,” and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terror organization, according to the State Department.

Piano instructor Halasius Bradford, 50, who rents a single-story property owned by Afshar, said the women were taken into custody in dramatic scenes about 5 p.m. Friday. He said ICE had been active in the streets leading up to the arrests.

Agents swooped on a quiet Tujunga home.London Entertainment

Bradford said he was driving back to the property during the raid and arrived to find the street blocked off by ICE vehicles and three LAPD patrol cars.

“It was crazy seeing what happened. I saw three LAPD patrol cars and one or two from ICE,” he told the Post.

“I didn’t see the women being taken away.”

The Post’s visit to the home on Saturday revealed Afshar was living in a small ADU behind the main two-bedroom, two-bathroom home Bradford rents. She had bought the Plainview Avenue property for $505,000 in 2021.

Photos from the scene offer a glimpse into the women’s carefully curated Los Angeles lifestyle.

Inside her humble home, about 20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, was a selfie ring light and a full-form mannequin for her to hang her designer label outfits.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, 47.Hamideh Soleimani Afshar/ Facebook
Called America the “Great Satan.”Hamideh Soleimani Afshar/ Facebook

She also drove a black Tesla, which on Saturday was stuffed with luxury goods, including a Miss Dior bag, some Hermes cushions, a Sephora makeup bag, and another gray leather handbag in the front passenger footwell.

Some items inside the car bore Arabic writing, while a few parking tickets were also scattered inside.

Friday marked the first time Bradford had met Hosseiny in person.

He said both women were at the property for a scheduled City of Los Angeles inspection of the ADU, which explains why they were there when ICE arrived.

Photos from the scene, obtained by The Post, offer a glimpse into the women’s carefully curated Los Angeles lifestyle.London Entertainment

Bradford added that Hosseiny’s boyfriend was also present during the raid. He told Bradford that he and Hosseiny were driving outside the house when ICE intercepted them, demanding to know where Afshar was.

Afshar’s black Tesla Model 3.London Entertainment
Some items bore Arabic writing.London Entertainment
A Miss Dior bag on the front passenger seat.London Entertainment
A Sephora bag containing makeup.London Entertainment
Hermès cushions in the back of her Tesla.London Entertainment
A small fluffy dog.hamideafshar/Instagram

Bradford said while Afshar lived in the ADU behind the main house, Hosseiny managed lease affairs remotely.

He described Afshar as ”crazy” and acting strangely.

“It was the first time I met Hosseiny,” he said. “The mother seemed kinda nuts. She said she’d been having chemo for cancer.”

Old mattresses and furniture were left out the front of Afshar’s home from the previous tenants.London Entertainment

Outside the main house, old mattresses and furniture from previous tenants were visible.

Bradford said the home was listed for rent on Zillow, and he signed the lease online with Hosseiny because her mother, Afshar, did not speak English well.

He moved in on March 21 and declined to say how much he pays.

The mother and daughter both created curated online personas showcasing glamorous LA lifestyles, complete with designer goods and jetsetting activities.

The ADU behind the home where .London Entertainment

Hosseiny appeared poised and camera-ready in Instagram images, her long dark hair framing a composed face as she cradled a small fluffy dog against a dark coat.

Her wardrobe ranged from structured black corsets paired with delicate pink skirts and oversized sunglasses to casual yet meticulously styled ensembles.

Other luxury symbols included posed photos beside helicopters and designer accessories, projecting a jet-set, influencer-ready image far removed from their modest suburban neighborhood.

Afshar entered the US on a tourist visa in 2015, gained asylum in 2019, and became a green card holder in 2021.

Luxury items.London Entertainment

Her daughter arrived in 2021 on a student visa and secured her green card in 2023.

Both had traveled back to Iran multiple times, raising red flags with US authorities.

Lauren Bis, a DHS spokesperson, emphasized the seriousness of the revocation. “It is a privilege to be granted a green card to live in the United States of America. If we have reason to believe a green card holder poses a threat to the US, the green card will be revoked.”

The arrest of Afshar and Hosseiny follows similar moves against other Iranian regime-linked figures in the US, highlighting continued vigilance against threats tied to Qasem Soleimani and his network.

https://nypost.com/2026/04/04/us-news/inside-the-secret-california-lives-of-niece-grandniece-before-ice-arrest/

Daughter of top Iranian official ousted from Emory University after outcry has visa canceled

 The daughter of a powerful Iranian regime insider who was forced out of Emory University after a firestorm of backlash is set to be booted from the United States completely.

Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, whose father is a top official in Tehran, was removed from her post at the prestigious Atlanta school following mounting outrage over her family’s ties to the regime, as first reported by The Post.

She worked as an assistant professor at Emory University’s prestigious Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta.

Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, an ousted Emory University assistant professor, is the daughter of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani.Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani

The controversy surrounding Ardeshir-Larijani sparked backlash from critics who questioned how someone so closely linked to Iran’s ruling elite had secured a position at a leading American research institution.

The controversy quickly drew the attention of lawmakers, including Rep. Buddy Carter, who in a formal letter demanded her removal and argued US institutions must not serve as a “safe harbor” for individuals tied to hostile regimes, according to his office.

Carter also warned that her continued presence posed a national security risk.

The pressure campaign ultimately succeeded, but the fallout didn’t stop there.

Ardeshir-Larijani’s legal status in the US was terminated earlier this month, part of a broader effort targeting foreign nationals with ties to Iran’s leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US designates as a terrorist organization, the US State Department confirmed.

Rep. Buddy Carter speaks during a campaign event for President Donald Trump on Sept. 24, 2024.AP
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before departing the Bourget airport outside of Paris, France, on March 27, 2026.POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Ali Larijani speaks at a press conference after announcing his candidacy in the Iranian presidential election on May 31, 2024.via REUTERS

She and her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi, are no longer in the country and have been barred from reentry.

Officials said both were removed as part of a hardline crackdown on individuals linked to anti-American regimes.

The case underscores a widening crackdown on foreign nationals with ties to Iran’s ruling elite, even those embedded in elite American institutions, with officials emphasizing that the US will not allow individuals who support or are connected to anti-American terrorist regimes to remain in the country.

On Saturday, authorities arrested slain Iranian General Qasem Soleimani’s niece Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and grandniece in Los Angeles.Hamideafshar/Instagram
Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the grandniece of Iranian terror mastermind Gen. Qasem Soleimani enjoyed life living in the US before she was arrested by ICE on April 4, 2026.Sarinasadat Hosseiny/ Instagram

The Winship Cancer Institute is one of the university’s flagship medical research centers, known for cutting-edge cancer treatment and academic prestige.

Her exit highlights the increasing sensitivity around foreign ties in American academia, particularly when linked to governments viewed as adversarial to the US.

It also underscores the reputational risks universities face when employing individuals connected to controversial regimes — even when those individuals are accomplished professionals in their own right.

Separately, on Saturday, authorities arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, relatives of slain Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, in Los Angeles.

Both are now in ICE custody awaiting deportation, while Afshar’s husband has been barred from entering the US.

Officials accused Soleimani Afshar of publicly promoting Iranian regime propaganda, celebrating attacks on American forces, praising Iran’s new Supreme Leader, denouncing the US as the “Great Satan,” and supporting the IRGC, all while living a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, according to the State Department.

https://nypost.com/2026/04/04/us-news/daughter-of-top-iranian-official-ousted-from-emory-university-after-outcry-has-visa-canceled/

UAE downs 50 Iranian drones

 The Emirati forces intercepted fifty Iranian drones, nine ballistic missiles and one cruise missile, the country's Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

"No cases of martyrdom, injuries, or fatalities were recorded during the past hours," the X post read. The total number of fatalities since the beginning of Iran's "brazen attacks" remains two. The ministry affirmed that it remains "on high alert and readiness to address any threats and firmly counter all attempts to undermine the state's security."

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/UAE-downs-50-Iranian-drones/66013065

Iran targets Israeli Negev industrial zone

 An Iranian ballistic missile struck the Negev industrial zone near Beersheba in southern Israel, local media reported on Sunday.

This marks the third time Tehran has targeted the complex since the war started on February 28. There have been no reports of fatalities and injuries so far. The rescue services are working to extinguish the fire that broke out on the site.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Iran-targets-Israeli-Negev-industrial-zone/66013035

Auto industry trade group urges feds to scrap gas tax and replace it with a vehicle weight fee

 The leader of a trade group that represents most major automakers called on the federal government to eliminate its gasoline tax and replace it with a vehicle fee to finance road infrastructure needs.

Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella, whose group represents automakers such as General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and other leading car manufacturers, put forward a proposal that urged the federal government to address the growing shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund with a vehicle fee.

The proposal would function like a vehicle registration fee that's assessed on all vehicles based on their weight, and was first reported by Reuters. It comes as the federal government's current surface transportation law is set to expire on September 30, which could prompt debate over policy changes.

"This policy would guarantee every vehicle on the road contributes something to maintaining America's transportation network," Bozzella said. "Those driving older, less fuel-efficient vehicles or who travel long distances bear the financial burden. That's not fair."

The Highway Trust Fund, which finances the federal government's surface transportation programs involving highways and mass transit, is projected to reach insolvency in 2028, at which time it would face a 46% spending cut, according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Revenue from the 18.4-cents per gallon gasoline tax has declined 60% in real terms, as the federal gas tax hasn't been increased since 1993 and wasn't indexed to inflation.

The shortfall has caused Congress and successive administrations to shift more than $275 billion from the federal government's general fund to help pay for road repairs since 2008, as spending has consistently outstripped revenue.

Gas tax revenue has also declined amid the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) and more fuel-efficient hybrids that reduce the frequency of fill-ups by drivers.

A proposal by House Republicans last year would have imposed a new $250 annual fee on EVs and $100 for hybrid EVs, though it wasn't included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Last year, an EV advocacy group known as the Electrification Coalition argued that the proposed $250 fee on EVs was unfair because an average gas-powered vehicle pays just $88 a year in federal gas taxes.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/auto-industry-trade-group-urges-feds-scrap-gas-tax-replace-vehicle-weight-fee

All German Men Aged 17-45 Must Now Obtain Army Approval For Trips Abroad Lasting Over 3 Months

 All German men aged between 17 and 45 now need approval from the Bundeswehr - i.e., the German army - for longer stays abroad. Under the new Military Service Act, this applies to trips abroad lasting more than three months, the Defence Ministry has announced. The daily Frankfurter Rundschau was the first to report on the change.

The rule is part of what is known as the Military Service Modernisation Act, which came into force on 1 January 2026. The law is intended to ensure that the Bundeswehr is fit for the future in terms of personnel and organization. Plans include, among other things, a more attractive form of voluntary military service, broader registration of young men and new legal instruments to enable faster action if needed.

What the new law says

Specifically, this concerns paragraph 3 of the Conscription Act, which governs the scope and duration of compulsory military service in Germany. Paragraph 1 states: "Compulsory military service is fulfilled by military service or [...] by civilian service." The provision applies to all men of conscription age between 18 and 45.

The newly worded paragraph 2 now says: "Male persons who have reached the age of 17 must obtain approval from the competent Bundeswehr careers centre if they intend to leave the Federal Republic of Germany for longer than three months [...]."

As long as military service remains voluntary, this approval is deemed to have been granted, a ministry spokesman said. The aim, he added, was to find a straightforward arrangement for people travelling abroad. For as long as military service is voluntary, approval is in principle regarded as granted.

However, the necessary administrative regulations have not yet entered into force. In theory, therefore, it still formally applies that 'approval from the competent Bundeswehr careers centre must be obtained' before travelling abroad for more than three months. The spokesman stressed, however: 'Since, under current law, military service is based exclusively on voluntary service, such approvals are in principle to be granted.'

The reasoning and the back story

Since Russia's attack on Ukraine around four years ago, the defence of Europe has once again moved more sharply into focus. Against this backdrop, the previously suspended system of conscription is also being hotly debated once more.

At the beginning of this year, the Military Service Modernisation Act came into force. In future, young men are once again to be systematically registered and called up for assessment. The federal government aims thereby to increase the strength of the Bundeswehr from the current roughly 184,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 service personnel by 2035.

A spokeswoman for the Defence Ministry told IPPEN.MEDIA: "In an emergency we need to know who is potentially staying abroad for a longer period."

The impact is 'profound', ministry admits

This far-reaching encroachment on personal autonomy previously applied only in exceptional cases - namely in a state of tension or defence - that is, when an attack by another country is highly likely.

Now, however, paragraph 2 has been revised. It now additionally states: "Outside a state of tension or defence, sections 3 [...] apply." This means that the rule set out in paragraph 3 now applies as a matter of principle.

The Defence Ministry acknowledges that the impact is "profound". Young men who, for example, want to spend a semester abroad or take a gap year must first obtain approval from a Bundeswehr careers centre. For this reason, "more detailed rules governing exemptions from the approval requirement are currently being drawn up at the Federal Ministry of Defence".

It is still unclear what consequences people face if they fail to obtain approval before a longer stay abroad, although in a country where the wrong retweet gets you a prison sentence we can only imagine.

According to RND, a large newspaper chain, the Defence Ministry initially declined to explain why the public had not been clearly informed about the new rules.

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/all-german-men-aged-17-45-must-now-obtain-army-approval-trips-abroad-lasting-more-3-months