Give shelter to the Iranian women’s team there… Why did US President Donald Trump make this appeal to the Australian PM?

New Delhi : A major international humanitarian crisis has deepened amid the ongoing fierce military tension between Iran and America. President Donald Trump has expressed his deep concern about the security of the Iranian women’s football team playing an important tournament in Australia. He has made an emotional and diplomatic appeal to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that these courageous players should not be sent back to Iran. Trump has warned that if Australia does not grant them asylum, America will stand by their security.

Controversy increased due to boycott of national anthem

Actually, this whole matter started when Iranian players clearly refused to sing their national anthem during a match against South Korea on March 2. When the tune played on the field. So all the players stood absolutely silent. This development happened when news of the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei came. This step is being considered as ‘wartime betrayal’ in Iran’s government media. Due to which the lives of all these female players are now in danger.

Trump’s appeal to Australian Prime Minister

Donald Trump wrote a strong message directly addressing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the social media platform ‘Truth Social’. He said sending the players back to Tehran would be a terrible humanitarian mistake. Trump believes that the Islamic regime there can give death penalty to these women on charges of treason. He said in clear words. "Mr Prime Minister. Give them shelter. If you don’t do this. So my country America is fully prepared to shelter and protect them."

Demand for immediate action from Australian government

Not only Trump, but also human rights organizations and the general public around the world seem to be concerned about the safety of the Iranian women’s team. More than 66 thousand people have signed an online petition demanding immediate action from the Australian government on humanitarian grounds. People say that forcing the players to go back would be like pushing them straight to death. The courage of these fearless players is being discussed even on global forums.

Iranian team out of the competition

The Iranian team is officially out of the competition after a 2-0 defeat against the Philippines on Sunday. According to the rules, now he will have to return back to Iran. The atmosphere remained quite tense even during the last match of the tournament. Where some fans waved the old flags of the Pahlavi dynasty and booed loudly during the national anthem. These unexpected events have made the position of the players more sensitive. The team now has very little time left and the diplomatic decision is awaited.

Iran government’s tough stance

Iran’s government media and fundamentalists have already opened a front against these players. He has been branded a ‘traitor’ and his action has been described as the height of insult. After Khamenei’s death, the political atmosphere in Iran is quite tough. In such a situation, returning home could be the beginning of a terrible end for these female footballers. The whole world is now watching very carefully the next big diplomatic steps of Australia and America so that their lives can be saved.