Rusty Weiss
President Trump issued a powerful warning to Australia on Monday, calling on the country to protect five Iranian women’s national soccer players who fled their team hotel after boldly refusing to sing their regime’s national anthem in protest.
The players now face almost certain death or brutal persecution if forced to return to Iran amid the chaos following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” he wrote on his Truth Social media platform.
“Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM,” he added. “The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
🚨 TRUMP STEPS UP FOR IRANIAN WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM – OFFERS ASYLUM!
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 9, 2026
President Trump just dropped a BOMBSHELL on Truth Social:
“Australia is making a TERRIBLE humanitarian mistake by forcing the Iranian National Women’s Soccer team back to Iran, where they’ll likely be killed.” pic.twitter.com/GyfFGEc9Zr
Trump’s demand came as the Iranian women’s national soccer team shifted from silent protest to full participation in the national anthem before their AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against Australia.
The team, which had stood in stoic silence during the anthem ahead of their opening 3-0 loss to South Korea — a move widely seen as resistance against the regime amid the U.S.-Israel joint strikes on Iran — saluted sharply and sang loudly this time.
It was clear to some that they were being coerced or had feared for their safety upon returning to Iran.
READ MORE:
Trump Demands Iranian Women Soccer Asylum — And Australia Listens
Five players fled their team hotel. They are now in a secure location under police protection and have formally requested asylum. And following Trump’s post, it appears Australia has indeed stepped in.
“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it!” Trump wrote a couple of hours later. “Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”
“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,” he added. “In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.”
🚨 JUST IN: Follow President Trump’s DEMAND that Australia allow the Iranian National Women’s soccer team be allowed to seek asylum, the Australian PM called President Trump and AGREED to make it happen
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 9, 2026
Trump said they would likely be KlLLED if they were forced to return to Iran… pic.twitter.com/lD4cEFxkdV
Human rights advocates, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, and the global players’ union FIFPRO have all sounded alarms, warning that returning home would mean imprisonment, coercion, or worse in the regime’s intensified crackdown.
The coming hours could decide whether these young women return to tyranny – or begin new lives in freedom. President Trump and the United States refused to turn their backs on them. Australia appears to have complied.