Homeland Security chief says Iran used World Cup delegation to try to enter U.S.

Mullen also reported an increase in attempts by Iranian nationals to enter the United States through the country’s northern border with Canada.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Marquvin Mullen said Sunday that American authorities blocked dozens of individuals with alleged ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from entering the United States after they sought access under the cover of Iran’s delegation to the FIFA World Cup.

Speaking about security measures surrounding the tournament, Mullen said Iranian authorities attempted to send a significantly expanded delegation to a World Cup match in Los Angeles. U.S. officials subsequently screened the group and approved entry for only 53 individuals.

Mullen said the decision followed an investigation that found many of the additional people included in the delegation had direct connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and were not members of the national team’s professional staff.

According to Mullen, a typical national soccer team delegation travels with roughly 120 personnel, including coaches, doctors and support staff. He said the individuals denied entry were not part of those functions.

“These are the regime’s ‘true believers’ — it is nearly impossible to leave Iran without the regime’s approval,” Mullen said.

The homeland security secretary described the incident as evidence that Iran remains “an adversary whose word cannot be trusted.”

Mullen also reported an increase in attempts by Iranian nationals to enter the United States through the country’s northern border with Canada.

He said U.S. authorities are making arrests on a daily basis involving Iranian citizens attempting to cross into the country from Canada.

The comments came as U.S. officials continue security operations related to the World Cup, which has drawn national teams and support delegations from around the world.

Mullen did not provide additional details regarding the identities of the individuals who were denied entry or specify whether any criminal charges were filed.

He said only that U.S. screening procedures identified direct ties between those individuals and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The secretary said the attempted entry through the sports delegation and the rise in arrests at the northern border highlighted ongoing security concerns involving Iranian nationals seeking access to the United States.