Iran deal could still take days, says report; Trump says it’ll be nothing like Obama’s
Trump said the US would not rush negotiations with Iran even as White House officials expressed optimism that a proposed agreement could move closer within days.
The United States has stopped issuing visas to Afghan citizens, a move announced just days after an Afghan national allegedly opened fire near the White House, killing one National Guard soldier and seriously injuring another. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the decision on Friday, saying the suspension took effect immediately.
In a post on X, Rubio wrote, “President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for all individuals travelling on Afghan passports.” He added that safeguarding Americans remained the administration’s foremost priority.
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The State Department also issued a brief statement: “The Department of State has immediately paused visa issuance for individuals travelling on Afghan passports.”
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President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people. https://t.co/HuR1Lj7F9t
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) November 28, 2025
Also Read: Washington shooting: Afghan national charged with murder; migration policies under fresh scrutiny
Shooter entered US through Operation Allies Welcome
The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the US in 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome initiative, according to Xinhua. He applied for asylum the following year and was granted protection earlier in 2025.
Local media have reported that Lakanwal passed all required vetting processes while assisting US intelligence personnel in Afghanistan and again before entering the United States. The FBI is now treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
According to NBC News, Lakanwal previously spent around a decade in the Afghan army, where he worked closely with US Special Forces. Fox News further reported that he was part of a partner force linked to the CIA during his time in Afghanistan.
Officials said he had been living in Washington state since his arrival.
Also Read: Washington shooting fallout: Trump signals halt on Third World migration in major policy shift
Attack near Farragut Square leaves National Guard soldier dead
The shooting occurred around 2:15 pm local time near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington, DC, according to Joint Task Force DC, which oversees National Guard deployments in the capital. One soldier succumbed to injuries in the hospital, while another remains in critical condition.
Lakanwal was shot by a Guard member who intervened and was taken into custody shortly afterwards. He is currently hospitalised, and authorities say they are still verifying aspects of his background.
Investigators are piecing together the sequence of events as questions grow over how the suspect was vetted and admitted into the United States.
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