Iran's football federation has accused the United States of “lies and mistreatment” after a senior US official said he performed a “happy dance” after the team's exit from the World Cup.
The response came after US homeland security secretary Markwayne Mullin said he celebrated following Iran's elimination before the knockout stage.
Speaking at a briefing in Washington on Monday, Mullin said: "I'm just glad they're [Iran] done, and they're not coming back.
"I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil, and I might've sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance. I'm very happy they're going back because there wasn't a single team that we dealt with more than them."
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had previously described his side as the "most oppressed" team at the tournament during his first World Cup press conference.
Captain Mehdi Taremi also suggested the United States did not want Iran progressing after Friday's draw against Egypt.
"We have to fight against everything here," Taremi said. "I don't know if people want it or not, but as we see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think."
Ghalenoei repeatedly criticised the treatment of his squad throughout the tournament. Eleven members of Iran's wider delegation, including Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj, were denied US visas.
Iran also objected to being forced to relocate its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, on the eve of the tournament.
Responding to Mullin's remarks, an FFIRI spokesperson said: "Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks. These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organising a global sporting event.
"The fact that he openly celebrates Iran's elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world's biggest stage.
"After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These latest comments only reinforce that belief."
Before leaving Mexico, Iran's squad left a handwritten note thanking Tijuana residents.
"You showed us that hosting a FIFA World Cup is about far more than stadiums and tickets," it read. "True hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity. We leave this World Cup with pride, but also with one fundamental question: Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and equal professional standards?"
Iran were eliminated from the group stage after three draws against New Zealand (2-2), Belgium (0-0) and Egypt (1-1), respectively.
All three matches were played in the US, and the Iranians left the tournament with the distinction of not losing a match on American soil.