Five members of the Iranian women’s football team have been granted asylum in Australia after reportedly escaping their government minders following a tournament, according to US president Donald Trump who announced the news on social media on Monday.
The women had been due to fly home, but supporters had raised fears for their safety after the team declined to sing the national anthem ahead of their first match against South Korea last week.
This prompted criticism from within Iran, with one conservative commentator accusing the team of being "wartime traitors" and pushing for harsh punishment.
Hundreds of supporters surrounded the Iranian Lionesses' coach as it left the stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday evening, with chants of "save our girls".
On Monday, the Rushhoursport witnessed dramatic scenes inside the team's five- star hotel when several players left the lobby in a group after speaking to activists.
Shortly after they departed, a second group - including a translator and the head coach - burst in looking panicked, and rushed through the hotel before returning to their rooms.
Officials have not commented publicly.
However, a family member of one of the women - speaking on condition of anonymity - told Australian news site ABC they were being protected by police, and intended to claim asylum.
"I want to kiss the hands of everyone who helped," the unnamed relative told ABC.
US President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to demand action.
Australia should "give asylum" to the women, Trump said in his initial post.
"The US will take them if you won't," he added.
The Trump administration put all asylum decisions on hold at the end of last year, and has stopped issuing immigrant visas for citizens from dozens of countries including Iran. It has said the administration wants to bring "an end to the abuse" of the system.
Last year, two groups of Iranians - including people whose asylum applications had been unsuccessful - were deported from the US back to Iran. The groups reportedly included members of the LGBT community, who face severe legal and social repercussions in Iran.
Around an hour later, Trump posted again to say he had spoken to Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and "five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way".
Trump's post appeared to also suggest some of the team feared for the safety of their families back in Iran and so felt they must "go back".
"In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!" Trump said.
