Asia News Iran, Political News Service:
The US government has once again made a strange decision to ban travel from citizens of 12 countries, including Iran, on security grounds. Iranians really a threat to US national security? A review of the statistics of terrorist attacks on US soil over the past 25 years shows that no Iranians have played a role in these incidents. The main perpetrators were mainly from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
This decision has put the lives of thousands of Iranian students at risk. Their academic future is at risk, while Iran has a brilliant record of peace and hosting minorities. Is this ban really a security decision or a political game? An open letter addressed to Trump and the US State Department has answered this question with historical and statistical documents.
»In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful«
Subject
Request for Reconsideration of Travel Ban on Iranian Nationals to the United States
His Excellency Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America
His Excellency Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister of the United States of America
Dear Mr. President,
Dear Minister,
With utmost respect, I am writing this open letter as a civil protest, supported by documented facts and historical evidence, to address the recent decision by your administration to impose a complete travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, including Iran, under the pretext of national security concerns. This decision not only lacks logical justification but also blatantly contradicts the principles of justice and fairness that the United States has long claimed to uphold.
1. Iranians and the Record of Terrorism: A Statistical Review
Based on verifiable data from terrorist attacks on U.S. soil over the past 25 years, there has not been a single recorded instance of Iranian nationals participating in such incidents. The perpetrators of these attacks have primarily held nationalities from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Egypt. Moreover, many of the deadliest attacks were carried out by U.S. citizens themselves:
September 11, 2001 (2,996 killed) – 15 Saudis, 2 Emiratis, 1 Egyptian, 1 Lebanese
Failed NYC Subway Bombing, 2009 – Afghan origin
Failed Times Square Bombing, 2010 – Pakistani
Boston Marathon Bombing, 2013 (3 killed) – Chechen/Kyrgyz
San Bernardino Shooting, 2015 (14 killed) – Pakistani origin
Orlando Nightclub Shooting, 2016 (49 killed) – Afghan origin
NYC Truck Attack, 2017 (8 killed) – Uzbek
Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, 2018 (11 killed) – American
El Paso Walmart Shooting, 2019 (23 killed) – American
Pensacola Naval Base Attack, 2019 (3 killed) – Saudi
Buffalo Supermarket Shooting, 2022 (10 killed) – American
Attempted Assassination of President Trump (2024) – American
Recent Colorado Attack on Jewish Gathering (2025) – Egyptian
The question is clear: Why has Iran—with zero record of terrorism inside the U.S.—been included in this ban? Is this decision purely political?
Humanitarian Consequences: Students, Families, and Scholars
This ban jeopardizes the futures of thousands of Iranian students who have worked diligently to gain admission to prestigious American universities. Their academic progress will be delayed, and invaluable research opportunities will be lost. Additionally, countless families will be deprived of reuniting with their loved ones.
؟Is this truly aligned with America’s humanitarian values
Furthermore, by implementing this ban, the United States is depriving itself of Iranian scholars and professionals who have historically contributed to scientific and economic progress—not threats to national security.
Iran: A Legacy of Peace and Tolerance
With a civilization spanning 2,500 years, Iran introduced the Cyrus Cylinder to the world—the first charter of human rights, emphasizing religious freedom and respect for nations. Throughout history, Iran has been a sanctuary for ethnic and religious minorities.
Even after the 9/11 attacks—where none of the terrorists were Iranian—Iran was among the first nations to formally express condolences to the American people, despite having no diplomatic relations with the U.S. at the time. The perpetrators were trained in Saudi Arabia and other regional allies of the United States. Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Boko Haram, ISIS, Jaish al-Adl, Jabhat al-Nusra, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish Muhammad, Jundullah, the Haqqani Network, and dozens of other terrorist groups that I mentioned, none of them have had even a single member with Iranian citizenship!
A Call for Reconsideration
We urge the U.S. government to:
Revise the list of banned countries and remove Iran, given its clean record.
Replace collective punishment with case-by-case vetting to ensure fairness.
Recognize that national security is achieved through cooperation and justice, not prejudice.
Mr. President, we remind you:
The U.S. dollar bears the words "In God We Trust." We, too, trust in the same God—the God of Abrahamic faiths—whom Iranians have worshipped for over 4,000 years, living side by side in peace despite differences in ethnicity, religion, or creed.
"Many have tried to bring this land to its knees, but they are gone, and Iran remains..."
God bless you and the United States of America.
Sincerely
Pourya Zarshenas
AsiaNews Iran Political Analysis
This travel ban is not based on real data, but is likely influenced by America's political relations with some regional allies. Interestingly, in the list of 12 banned countries, Iran is the only country that has not had a single case of involvement in domestic terrorism in the United States, while Saudi Arabia (whose nationals were 15 of the 9/11 terrorists) is not on the list! From a human rights perspective, this decision is a clear violation of the principle of "collective punishment" and contradicts America's claim to support human rights. Also, economically, by preventing the entry of Iranian elites, to United states of America.