Afshar, who originally entered the US in June 2015 on a tourist visa, would often publish pictures of herself decked out in gold jewellery, dispatching from helicopters in the desert, and relaxing in Louis Vuitton clothes. Her daughter, who came to the US with her mother on a student visa, appeared in snaps relaxing on a sun lounger by a pool in a black bikini, showing off her tattoos, and posing on a bed in a halter-neck party dress, next to a bottle of rosé.
Both enjoy donning outfits deemed illegal in Tehran, where women face arrest, beating, and even rape in custody for disobeying the strict dress code enforced by the Islamic regime, which includes the compulsory hijab. Afshar is the niece of the slain Qasem Soleimani, one of most powerful military figures who was the commander of the lethal Quds force and the architect of the regime’s terror activities throughout the Middle East. Soleimani was killed by a US Reaper drone strike ordered by President Trump at Baghdad airport in January 2020. Before his death, he was seen as the country’s most influential commander, second only to the late Supreme Leader.
