Trump walks back criticism of Australia as Iranian soccer players take asylum

President Donald Trump walked back his criticisms of Australia, seemingly unaware the country had already offered asylum to Iran's women's soccer team.

President Donald Trump walked back his criticisms of Australia on Monday, March 9, after the United States ally offered of asylum to Iranian members of the Iranian women's soccer team.

Five members of the team have accepted an offer of asylum in Australia, as their teammates waited for a resumption of international flights to their war-beleaguered homeland.

Apparently unaware that the team members had been offered asylum in Australia, Trump warned of grave consequences in a post on social media on Monday if they were "forced" to return to Iran. He warned Australia was making "a terrible humanitarian mistake" and addressed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese directly, writing: "Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won't."

An hour later, Trump posted on social media congratulating Albanese for "doing a very good job," noting that five team members had "already been taken care of." Trump also said that some members of the team "feel they must go back" due to safety concerns for their families, including "threats to those family members if they don’t return."

"In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation," Trump wrote.