ICE Nabs Iranian Sniper, Hezbollah Ties in Terror Sweep

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested multiple foreign Nationals

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested multiple foreign nationals with ties to Iran’s military and Hezbollah in a series of operations across several states, raising urgent national security questions about America’s immigration oversight.

Arrest of Iranian Army Sniper in Alabama

ICE agents in Locust Fork, Alabama, apprehended Ribvar Karimi, a former Iranian Army sniper who served from 2018 to 2021. Karimi entered the U.S. legally last October on a K-1 fiancé visa under the Biden administration and married his American partner, Morgan Gardner, in January.

However, Karimi failed to adjust his immigration status following the marriage, rendering his presence in the country unlawful. During his arrest, agents found him in possession of an Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Karimi’s wife, currently seven months pregnant, defended him tearfully in a local interview:

“This man loves America. The first thing he bought was an American flag. If he had bad intentions, he wouldn’t be walking around with that flag, knowing the risk.”

Minnesota Arrest: Hezbollah Ties & Criminal Past

In a separate operation, ICE agents detained Mehran Makari Saheli, 56, in Minnesota. Saheli is a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and has admitted connections to Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Despite having a prior conviction as a felon in possession of a firearm and serving a 15-month prison sentence, Saheli evaded deportation after a judge ordered his removal in 2022. He is now in ICE custody.

Arizona & Texas: Convicted Criminals with Weapons

Also arrested over the weekend:

• Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, who had been ordered deported 12 years ago, was arrested in Tempe, Arizona. He has previous convictions for threatening law enforcement and for illegal firearm possession. He had entered through the southern border in 2012.

• Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad was captured in Texas while armed with a 9mm pistol. He initially entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2016 but was arrested in 2017 for domestic violence, including choking a family member. A restraining order was later issued after he threatened his wife and her family in Iran.

National Security Implications

The arrests have renewed scrutiny over vetting processes, especially concerning individuals from high-risk regions with known terrorist affiliations. Critics are demanding tighter oversight of visa approvals and enforcement of deportation orders.

With the rise in global terrorism threats and escalating tensions in the Middle East, these arrests serve as a stark reminder of the gaps in America’s immigration and security infrastructure.

Both Karimi and Saheli remain in federal custody pending deportation proceedings.

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