Iran's state TV network has accused their women's football team of betraying the besieged nation by failing to sing the national anthem ahead of their Women's Asian Cup opener.
Iran's players made global headlines on Monday when their players declined to sing the anthem prior to a 3-0 loss to South Korea on the Gold Coast, less than 48 hours after the US-Israel assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The players backflipped on their stance on Thursday, displaying a military salute and belting out the anthem just before a 4-0 loss to Australia.
Australian-based Iranian dissidents, who held a protest outside Gold Coast Stadium prior to kick-off, say the players are being used as pawns by the embattled Islamist regime.
The country's own television has called for the squad to be punished for failing to sing the anthem against Korea.
In an address circulated and translated on X by exiled Iranians, TV presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi said: "Traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely.
"For you to go there and not sing the national anthem - this is the pinnacle of dishonour and lack of patriotism," Shahbazi said.
"Both the people and the officials should treat these individuals as wartime traitors.
"The stigma of dishonour and betrayal must remain on their foreheads, and separately they must be dealt with properly."If they lose to the Philippines on Sunday in their final group game, Iran's tournament will be over.
It is not known how or when they will be able to return to their homeland given the conflict, or if players could in fact seek asylum in Australia.
Asian Cup organisers have been in dialogue with the Home Affairs Department since the escalation in violence in Iran.
Iran's team has kept a low-profile during their time in Australia, speaking only in mandatory press conferences where questions of a political nature have been off limits to journalists.
An Australian-based Iranian reporter was ignored by coach Marziyeh Jafari and an interpreter when he asked a question in Thursday's post-match press conference if the wearing of mandatory hijabs had impacted the team's performance.
The toll has clearly been immense for the Iranian players, who have had limited contact with their families following an internet blackout in the days since the US-Israeli strikes.
Young striker Sara Didar was moved to tears when asked to discuss the impact has had on her, but the Iranians had certaintly earned the respect of Australia's players.
"We were aware that they were excited to play us and staying in the same hotel as us," said Matildas captain Sam Kerr.
"It was a nice moment to share with them. They were so lovely on the pitch, and all of us swapped jerseys with them at the end.
"We obviously have a lot of respect for them and were trying to support and put an arm around them."
Matildas playmaker Amy Sayer said swapping jerseys with the Iranian players was the least Australia's squad could do to show their support.
"I know that they're having a tough time as well and at least it's a nice memento for them to go back home to, if they're able to," Sayer said.
"I know they're really struggling with the sort of interference from their government and everything but I hope they enjoyed the game."
