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Mehdi Taremi was detained by US officials on the way to Seattle -Credit:Shaun Clark/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images
Iran star Mehdi Taremi was 'disturbed' by US officials as the team travelled to Seattle for their match against Egypt, delaying the nation's travel. Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei were 'caused problems', according to the Iranian Football Federation.
Squad members were forced to wait for Taremi and Alhoei, who were being detained, though the reason for the hold-up has not been revealed. The team were held up for 25 minutes before being permitted to resume their journey.
"During the national team's third trip to the United States, host officials disturbed Saeed Alhoei and Mehdi Taremi, delaying the convoy's departure to Seattle for the match against Egypt," a statement said.
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Iran have been operating out of Mexico for their World Cup preparations despite all three of their group fixtures taking place on American soil.
Amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding security and visa approvals, Iran relocated their base to Tijuana, having originally been expected to set up camp in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the tournament.
Following the team's opening tournament fixture against New Zealand, head coach Amir Ghalenoei declared his squad were the "most oppressed" team at the World Cup.
The side had last-minute travel restrictions imposed upon them and, having anticipated staying overnight in Los Angeles, were instructed to immediately return to their training base in Mexico at full-time, reports the Mirror.
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Medi Taremi is Iran's star striker -Credit:Harry How, Getty Images
"After the game they said to us 'you have to leave immediately'," Ghalenoei said. "We've been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.
"They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best.
"We don't know why they're returning us, to be honest. I think it's very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us," Ghalenoei added.
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"We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn't permit I.T.. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime.
"I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn't here, our media isn't here, our management isn't here.
"The Iranian National Football Team agreed to these terms," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said when asked for a response to Ghalenoei's comments.
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