The ongoing Iran war is a rare modern conflict where warring powers can in an unprecedented manner (generally-speaking in terms of the modern age) address each other directly over social media. For example Iranian top official accounts are busy trying to troll Washington in defiance, even as the US bombs fall. "9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock. Iran is fully prepared. And we, too, have many surprises in store," Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X Monday.

But President Trump on the same day had his own card to play, highlighting the plight of the Iranian National Women's Soccer team, which appears stuck in increasingly sensitive and possibly dangerous situation after playing in Australia. Trump wrote: "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. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won't."

Stretching back days, and weeks - even before the start of Operation Epic Fury - there were conflicting reports over the team's response during the singing of the national anthem. There are widespread headlines they have been refusing to sing the national anthem, resulting inthreats from Tehran officials.

At this point itremains anything but clear whether the entire team is requesting asylum, or whether just several individuals are. Australian broadcast reports say at least five arein hiding:

Five female soccer players who it was feared would face persecution when they returned to Iran have left their accommodation in the Gold Coastand plan to seek asylum in Australia, multiple sources have told the ABC.

Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, who all play for the Iran women’s national football team, refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match with South Korea at the Women's Asian Cup earlier this month.

Fears had been growing they would be targeted by the Iranian regime upon their return, after they werelabelled "traitors" on Iranian state TV.

Now, a family member of one of the athletes, who we have agreed not to name, and activists within the Iranian Australian community have told the ABC the players haveevaded the team's handlers and are being protected by police in Queensland.

Trump says PM Albanese is "on it"....

The NY Times and others have since reported that an Australian government representative is in contact with the five, and has briefed them on their options. The pressure on the ladies grows, at a moment their homeland - and possibly their own family members - are under US-Israeli bombs.

Source: ZeroHedge News