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How S.F. residents helped their families — and strangers — out of Iran amid conflict
How S.F. residents helped their families — and strangers — out of Iran amid conflict

San Francisco Chronicle​

time18 hours ago

  • Politics
  • San Francisco Chronicle​

How S.F. residents helped their families — and strangers — out of Iran amid conflict

On her last night in Tehran on June 12, Mahsa stayed up late with her family, passing around plates of kabob, joking and exchanging gifts until 2:30 a.m. She hadn't been back to Iran in more than a decade, and the next day she was supposed to fly home to San Francisco. But within 30 minutes of her goodbye party ending, Israel launched airstrikes targeting military personnel in Tehran. The move resulted in a 12-day war between the two countries that killed at least 600 people in Iran and 28 people in Israel, and ultimately led to the U.S. launching its own attacks on several of Iran's nuclear sites. Within hours of the first strike, Iran's airports were closed. Commercial flights were grounded. What began as a joyful visit for Mahsa, who asked to be identified by her first name only due to safety concerns, to visit family she hadn't seen in nearly 11 years quickly turned into an emergency. Like many other people caught in the middle of a fast-escalating conflict, Mahsa suddenly had no way to leave. This week, President Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a cease-fire. Despite some initial violations of the cease-fire from both sides, the agreement appeared to be holding. Still, flights in and out of Iran have been limited, and most travelers remain stuck, waiting or trying to find a way across the border. It's not known how many U.S. citizens are in Iran, but past estimates have put the number at thousands. The U.S. State Department issued an advisory Thursday urging U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately either through the border in Azerbaijan, Turkey or Armenia. While the airspace in Iran has partially reopened, most commercial flights are still avoiding the country and some airports remain shuttered. Since the shutdown, people have scrambled to leave by car, shuttle, bus and sometimes on foot in hopes of reaching airports in Turkey or Armenia. Some of those journeys have taken more than 20 hours — and for people scrambling to find a way out, including Mahsa, are fraught with concerns over border crossings, travel accommodations and safety. Gas shortages across Iran have only made it harder. 'I got to experience firsthand just how much confusion there was around what are the routes to take, just different people were saying different things,' said Shirin Oreizy, a San Francisco resident who helped find a way out for one of her family members visiting from the U.S. who was stuck in Iran. 'There was a lack of Internet connectivity. It was just really burdensome and confusing and you layer that in with the amount of fear we had at the time.' Oreizy said her family member was eventually able to find a route out through Turkey, but her frantic experience is shared among many Iranian Americans. So Oreizy created a document detailing multiple travel routes from Iran to cities in Turkey and Armenia. She documented people's successful journeys so that others finding a way out could model their own escape — which has since been shared with hundreds of people. 'I ended up talking to friends of friends and really documenting how they were departing Iran, what borders were open, what tips they had for people, who were the taxi services they were using,' Oreizy said. Ali S., a San Francisco resident who works in film production and asked that their last name be withheld due to safety concerns, also created a resource document with the names and numbers of private drivers, travel agencies in Iran and other resources for people. 'I'm responding to messages all day now — people think I'm the person who can get them out so I get messages like, 'My family is stuck there, can you get them out?' Hopefully (this) can help out,' Ali said. In the initial aftermath of the first strike, Oreizy, like many others, said she was paralyzed with fear watching the news to see whether her loved one could get out and what would happen with the rest of her family who live in Iran. It wasn't until a few days later that she created the document — a resource that Mahsa didn't have access to when she planned her departure, but now includes the details of her journey for others looking for a way out. Mahsa, who has lived in San Francisco for over 20 years and works as a dentist, said she began to panic as the missiles kept coming. One landed just a block from her parents' apartment. 'I really wanted to get my parents out,' she said. Mahsa considered driving nearly 16 hours to Yerevan, Armenia, but heard from friends that the route could be closed. Her sister in the U.S. was able to get Mahsa and her parents, who are 73 and 82, tickets from Istanbul. Mahsa said she had three days to figure out how to get to Turkey. Mahsa eventually found a private driver who could take her and her parents the 10-hour journey to the border. The family would then cross the border by foot into Turkey, where another private driver would be waiting for them to drive them six hours from the border to a city in Turkey before boarding a flight to Istanbul. 'We just had to pack necessities. We had one carry-on each,' Mahsa said. 'I had a lot of gifts from my family like Iranian antique stuff, wine glasses and tea glasses, and I had to leave them all behind.' Despite the stressful and fearful ending to her trip, Mahsa said it was amazing to return to Iran after such a long time away. Her parents, who are dual citizens, have a home there and much of her extended family still live in Iran. She spent most of her visit with family and walking around Tehran's historic neighborhoods. 'It was heaven. It was wonderful,' Mahsa said. 'People are so loving and so caring. There is a lot of connection and a lot of art.'

Ghana on U.S. visa ban watchlist over student visa overstays, government confirms
Ghana on U.S. visa ban watchlist over student visa overstays, government confirms

Business Insider

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Business Insider

Ghana on U.S. visa ban watchlist over student visa overstays, government confirms

Ghana may face visa sanctions from the United States following its placement on a U.S. State Department watchlist due to an increasing number of student visa overstays. The U.S. has placed Ghana on a watchlist due to a high rate of student visa overstays, raising potential visa sanctions. The observed rate of overstays among Ghanaian student visa holders is 21%, exceeding the U.S.-acceptable limit of 15%. Ghana's government has initiated discussions with U.S. authorities to address the issue, focusing on collaborative solutions. This development was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during a press briefing held in Accra on Thursday, 26 June. According to Mr Ablakwa, U.S. authorities have officially informed the Ghanaian government that the rate of Ghanaian students overstaying their visas in the U.S. has reached 21%, exceeding the permissible limit of 15%. "The issue has created considerable anxiety, and that report came to all of us as a surprise," he stated. "However, I can confirm to you this evening that the government, led by the Honourable Foreign Minister, has engaged U.S. officials. We've had very productive meetings. The U.S. authorities have now formally brought this to our attention, so it is no longer a leaked report." Clarification on sanction categories While addressing concerns, Mr Ablakwa clarified that Ghana is not being lumped together with countries accused of more severe breaches such as terrorism, violent extremism, or state-sponsored violence. "The ban, according to U.S. officials, will affect countries not complying with some 12 listed concerns. These range from terrorism, state sponsorship of terrorism, and being safe havens for violent extremists, to high rates of visa overstays," he explained. "The U.S. officials have communicated to us that Ghana's concern specifically relates to student visa overstays." Overstay statistics and Ghana's response Data presented by the U.S. reveals that 21% of Ghanaian students on visas have failed to return home upon completing their studies, which significantly breaches the U.S. threshold. Despite the situation, Mr Ablakwa urged calm, reassuring the public that Ghana has a strong history of cooperation with U.S. immigration standards. "The engagements, I must say, are going well because U.S. authorities have confirmed that, apart from overstays, all the other troubling matters, including terrorism, do not apply to Ghana. We have been formally notified of 188 Ghanaians on President Trump's deportation list, and our embassies in New York and Washington have been compliant," he added. "We take the view that Ghana's issue, which has to do with overstays, is not so severe that it should place us in the same category as countries sponsoring terrorism or harbouring extremists."

Why US wants your social media account details to grant visas: Explained
Why US wants your social media account details to grant visas: Explained

Mint

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Mint

Why US wants your social media account details to grant visas: Explained

Framing every visa decision as a matter of "national security," the U.S. has mandated that applicants submit the usernames or handles of all social media platforms they have used over the past five years. The statement, which was posted on X, read, 'Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit.' The communication continued, 'Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.' At the weekly media briefing in capital, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked to respond to the statement of the US authorities. Jaiswal continued, 'It is our belief that all visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated on the basis of merit. And, we remain engaged with the US side on all mobility issues and consular issues to ensure that the legitimate interests of Indian nationals are safeguarded.' On June 23, the US Embassy asked those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa to switch the privacy settings of their social media accounts to "public" to facilitate vetting, which it said was necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the US under law. The embassy had also said that since 2019, the US has required visa applicants to provide "social media identifiers" on immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms. F or M category is for student visas and J category for exchange visitor visa. In Thursday's communication, the embassy also attached two related digital posters. "Every U.S. visa adjudication is a national security decision," read the caption on the top of a poster followed by a note. The note read, 'The United States requires visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on visa application forms. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting.' Social media vetting involves reviewing a person's online presence—especially on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn—to assess their behavior, affiliations, and public reputation. This practice is increasingly being used in immigration and visa processes. In a recent policy update, the U.S. State Department informed its consulates that foreign students applying for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas are now 'requested' to make their social media profiles publicly accessible. The aim is to allow officials to verify applicants' identities and conduct more thorough background checks. This move signals a tightening of security protocols, with social media activity now playing a significant role in visa vetting. Applicants are advised to ensure their online profiles reflect accurate, professional, and consistent information. The recent announcements come amid a broader immigration crackdown, including enforcement action in Los Angeles, California, under the Trump administration. In a statement issued on June 24, the embassy emphasised that the US has intensified the enforcement of immigration laws, warning that violators could face detention, deportation, and permanent ineligibility for future visas. The US also cautioned that anyone entering the country illegally would be subject to jail time and deportation. Earlier, on June 19, the embassy clarified that holding a U.S. visa is 'a privilege, not a right,' and that screening continues even after a visa is issued. The statement noted that a visa can be revoked if the holder violates U.S. laws. The embassy had also said that using illegal drugs or breaking any of the US laws while on a student or visitor visa could make one ineligible for future US visa. Earlier this month, the US Embassy in India also issued statements, underlining that while people travelling legally to America were welcome, illegal entry or abuse of visas won't be tolerated by the country. The United States 'will not tolerate' those who facilitate illegal and mass immigration to the US, its embassy said on June 16. The US Embassy had said the US had "established new visa restrictions" targeting foreign government officials and violators.

Rubio dials Shehbaz Sharif, pledge to work together for durable peace in West Asia
Rubio dials Shehbaz Sharif, pledge to work together for durable peace in West Asia

The Hindu

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

Rubio dials Shehbaz Sharif, pledge to work together for durable peace in West Asia

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday (June 27, 2025) acknowledged the importance of working together to promote peace and stability in the region. Mr. Rubio dialled Mr. Sharif to discuss the situation in West Asia. "The two leaders acknowledged the importance of working together to promote a durable peace between Israel and Iran and maintaining regional stability," said Tammy Bruce, U.S. State Department spokesperson. Both leaders "agreed to continue working together to strengthen Pakistan-US relations, particularly to increase trade", said a statement released by the Pakistan government. Commenting on the current situation in the West Asia, Mr. Sharif asserted that Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in establishing peace in the region. Mr. Sharif also praised U.S. President Mr. Trump's "courageous and decisive leadership, which led to a ceasefire between Iran and Israel." He also thanked Secretary Rubio for the key role of the United States in the Indo-Pak ceasefire.

US talks to Pakistan about promoting ‘durable peace between Israel and Iran'
US talks to Pakistan about promoting ‘durable peace between Israel and Iran'

Business Recorder

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Business Recorder

US talks to Pakistan about promoting ‘durable peace between Israel and Iran'

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a call on Thursday in which they discussed promoting 'a durable peace between Israel and Iran,' the State Department said in a statement. Why it's important President Donald Trump, earlier this week, announced a ceasefire between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran to halt a war that began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran. Trump met Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House last week where they discussed Iran, which Trump said Pakistan knew about better than most other countries. A section of Pakistan's embassy in Washington represents Iran's interests in the United States, as Tehran does not have diplomatic relations with the U.S. Pakistan urges Iran Israel to uphold ceasefire Key quotes 'The two leaders acknowledged the importance of working together to promote a durable peace between Israel and Iran,' the U.S. State Department said in a statement. 'Secretary Rubio emphasized Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.' Context The Israel-Iran conflict had raised alarms in a region that was already on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. The U.S. struck Iran's nuclear sites over the last weekend and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation, before Trump announced an Israel-Iran ceasefire. Israel is the only Middle Eastern country widely believed to have nuclear weapons and said its war against Iran aimed to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons. Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while Israel is not. Pakistan condemned Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran even as it said earlier this month it was nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in bringing a four-day India-Pakistan conflict to an end last month.

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