President Donald Trump on Monday had harsh words for the Australian government over its refusal to grant asylum to the Iranian women's soccer team, saying he would permit them to come to the U.S. if the Australians did not do so.

"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," he posted on Truth Social. "Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Some members of the team are in Australian custody for their own safety after they remained silent during their country's national anthem last month, CNN reported. The players did not state that they were protesting anything, though their actions have prompted fears for their safety should they return home.

Iran recently chose a new supreme leader from the Khamenei family amid the ongoing war with the United States.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.