ISTANBUL, March 17 - The Iranian women's soccer team arrived in Istanbul Tuesday en route to Iran, after five players withdrew asylum claims filed in Australia. They rejoined the squad in Kuala Lumpur last week.
Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one staff member who feared persecution back home. Only two remain in Australia.
The team's Asian Cup run ended over a week ago amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Their final leg home from Istanbul remains unclear.