Iranian “traitors” who escaped from the camp were given humanitarian visas in Australia / Trump's reaction

Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian soccer players who sought asylum because they feared what might happen to them upon their return to their country after they refused to sing the national anthem at an Asian Cup match, according to Reuters.

“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a news conference in Canberra on Tuesday, a day after police helped them escape from the camp where they were under the control of Iranian government officials.

“They are safe here and should feel at home,” he added.

The five are protected by the police

US President Donald Trump praised Albanese for allowing the women to stay, saying on social media that the United States was ready to take the players if Australia did not.

Australian officials said they were footballers Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh. They are now housed in a secret location under police protection.

Albanese said the offer to help them is also open to the other players in Iran's national team currently in Australia, but it is up to them to accept or not.

They fled the camp after secret negotiations

Television footage from the scene showed several other Iranian players leaving on a bus from the hotel in the Gold Coast city where they were staying on Tuesday. It is not clear at this time which players got on the bus or left.

Home Secretary Tony Burke posted photos of himself with the five players on his X account after granting their visas.

He said the government had held secret talks with the players for several days, but admitted that running away was a difficult decision for them.

“Even if the offer remains for the other members of the team, it is very possible and even likely that not all of the women in the team will decide to take advantage of the opportunity that Australia offers them,” he said.

Trump: “A very good job”

Trump initially posted on social media that Australia was “making a terrible humanitarian mistake” by allowing the team to be sent back home, apparently unaware that Australia had been holding secret talks with the women for several days.

Trump said they would “probably be killed” if forced to return to Iran. “The United States will get them if you don't,” he added.

In a later post, Trump said he had spoken to Albanese and that the Australian leader was “doing a very good job in this rather delicate situation”.

Albanese said Trump called him just before 2 a.m. (15:00 GMT Monday).

“I was able to convey to him the steps we took in the last 48 hours and that five members of the team called for help, received it and are safe,” Albanese said.

The Iranian team's campaign in the Asian Cup tournament, hosted by Australia, began just as the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The team was eliminated from the tournament on Sunday after losing 2-0 against the Philippines.

Iranian media: “Wartime traitors”

Soccer fans and government agencies began to express concern about the players after they were labeled “wartime traitors” on state television for refusing to sing the national anthem before the first match against South Korea.

The players' decision to stand in silence was described by a commentator on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting as “the height of disgrace”.

The Iranian team sang the anthem and saluted ahead of their second match against Australia, sparking fears among human rights groups that the players were coerced by government officials.