US eases restrictions on Iran team, allowing them in a day earlier

The United States eased restrictions ​on the Iran squad's travel arrangements at the World Cup on ‌Tuesday, allowing them to travel two days before their next match, the US Department of Homeland Security said.

The Iranian team were previously only allowed ​to enter the US a day before a match, a ​move that led the coach to say that Iran were "the ⁠most oppressed team in the whole World Cup."

"For the Iranian ​team’s third match in Seattle on 26 June, the team ​has been permitted to come into the US two days before the match," a DHS spokesperson said.

"The Iran team will still be required to leave ​the day the match ends. The overall security measures and ​protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible ‌for ⁠players, staff, and fans alike."

FIFA and the Iranian team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Iran expressed intent last week to lodge a complaint with football's world governing body FIFA over the ​travel restrictions the ​team have ⁠been facing, commuting from their tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico, the day ahead of their games ​in the United States.

The restrictions come amid ​high tensions ⁠between Washington and Tehran following a nearly four-month war.

In March, US President Donald Trump said while Iran were welcome to participate in the tournament, ⁠he ​believed it was not appropriate that ​they remain there between matches "for their own life and safety."