‘God bless Australia’: Trump updates asylum offer to Iranian women’s soccer team

President Donald Trump said Monday Australia’s prime minister is “on it” after Trump said it would be “a terrible humanitarian mistake” for the country to deny the Iran National Women’s Soccer team asylum status.

Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday that if the team is “forced back to Iran,” they will “most likely be killed,” and that the U.S. will accept the team if Australia fails to do so.

Trump later added he spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and that he “is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.”

Before a Women’s Asian Cup match in Australia on March 2, the Iranian women’s soccer team stood silent as their country’s national anthem played. Iranian state media in turn branded the players “wartime traitors,” according to multiple reports.

“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,” Trump wrote on Monday. “Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return. In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Five of the players are safe with police in Australia, CNN reported on Monday, citing an anonymous source. Sources also told CNN the team was forced to sing the national anthem ahead of their second match on Thursday and again on Sunday.

The team was defeated 2–0 by the Philippines on Sunday. After the loss, supporters surrounded the players’ bus and shouted “save our girls” at police as the bus drove away, CNN reported.

The Australian Iranian Council also has been pressuring Australia to grant the team asylum, launching a petition for the government “to act with urgency and humanity.” The petition has garnered over 73,000 signatures so far.

The son of Iran’s exiled shah, Reza Pahlavi, thanked Trump on Monday for urging Australia to accept the team. Pahlavi also urged the Australian government on Sunday to ensure the team’s safety.

(Image credit: x.com/DrewPavlou)