March 9 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump is calling on Australia to grant asylum to Iran's women's soccer team, warning that sending them back to Iran could be deadly.
The president said the United States will grant the team asylum if Australia refuses.
"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman's Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed," Trump said on social media in addressing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"Don't do it, Mr. Prime Minister, Give asylum. The U.S. will take them if you won't."
The Iranian women's soccer team has been in Australia for the AFC Women's Asian Cup soccer tournament since before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran Feb. 28.
