Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the country's women's football team will be welcomed home with open arms after their Asian Cup campaign in Australia.
The invitation comes after five members of the team sought asylum in Australia following their team's exit from the tournament, according to the office of Iran's general prosecutor.
Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei urged the players to return home, saying on social media, "To Iran's women's football team: don't worry – Iran awaits you with open arms."
Background
The team's decision to stand in silence during Iran's anthem before their first match on March 3 sparked concerns for their safety upon returning home.
Australia's Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said the five players who sought asylum would be allowed to stay in the country, and that they were safe and welcome.
The players who sought asylum were named as captain Zahra Ghanbari, midfielders Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh.
International Response
United States President Donald Trump said he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the situation, but his comments were dismissed by Iran's Baghaei.
Iran's general prosecutor's office said some team members had "unintentionally and emotionally" provoked excitement among "criminal leaders" of the "American-Zionist war".
The US and Israel attacks on Iran have killed 1,255 people and left 1,200 injured after 11 days, with Tehran responding by launching missiles and drones at Israel and US military bases in the Middle East.
Source: Al Jazeera
