US security chief gloats over Iran’s World Cup exit

Iranians were indignant after the DHS head said he “danced a happy dance” while targeting their team

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, whose agency was responsible for enforcing controversial security measures targeting the Iranian soccer team at the World Cup, has said the job made him dance with joy and he was happy Iran was eliminated.

Iran exited the tournament, which the US is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, after three draws against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the group stage. Iranian officials complained that, unlike other teams, Iranian players were not allowed to stay in the US and instead had to travel for training and games in Los Angeles and Seattle from Tijuana, Mexico.

“I’m just glad they’re done, and they’re not coming back,” Mullin told an interagency meeting on Monday, as first reported by Sports Business Journal. He added that “there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.”

“I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave US soil, and I might have sung a song or two, or maybe danced a happy dance,” the senior official said.

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Mullin claimed the Iranians had no reason to complain, saying the DHS had taken measures to prevent harassment, including by having Customs and Border Protection agents screen team members in Mexico instead of upon arrival in the US.

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), whose president, Mehdi Taj, was denied a visa by US authorities, criticized Mullin’s remarks, saying “Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials” and were not surprised. The dance quip “reveals more about his own character than it does about our team,” demonstrating “contempt and narrow-mindedness,” the statement added.

The US domestic security agency eased travel restrictions ahead of Iran’s last game, against Egypt in Seattle, after Tehran complained to FIFA, arguing that its players were at a significant disadvantage.

“We have to fight against everything here,” team captain Mehdi Taremi said after last Friday’s match.