The situation for Afghan refugees in Iran has drastically worsened, with nearly 800,000 being forcibly returned to Afghanistan since March. The accelerated deportation campaign has raised concerns among international aid organizations about the dire conditions these individuals face upon return to a nation already grappling with poverty and instability.
Surge in Afghan Refugee Deportations from Iran Amidst Rising Tensions
Surge in Afghan Refugee Deportations from Iran Amidst Rising Tensions
Nearly 800,000 Afghan refugees have faced deportation from Iran in recent weeks as the Iranian government escalates its crackdown leading to a humanitarian crisis.
In recent weeks, Iran has undertaken a significant expulsion of Afghan refugees, resulting in approximately 800,000 people being compelled to return to Afghanistan, a nation struggling with extreme poverty and bleak living conditions. The Iranian government intensified its deportation efforts in June 2025, coinciding with mounting geopolitical tensions and a directive issued earlier in the year mandating undocumented migrants to leave the country.
According to Babar Baloch, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency, nearly 600,000 Afghans have crossed the border into Afghanistan since June 1 alone. This spike follows allegations from Iranian authorities linking Afghans with espionage activities, particularly in the wake of conflicts in the region.
A notable surge in border crossings has been recorded, with daily numbers reaching as high as 50,000. Despite claims that only undocumented Afghans are targeted, reports from returnees suggest that individuals with valid visas have also been forced to leave. The situation has led to increased anxiety among Afghans still residing in Iran, as uncertainty about their status grows.
Arafat Jamal, the UN refugee representative in Kabul, stated that the current environment appears unforgiving for Afghans in Iran, describing it as a "frenzy" of deportations. Humanitarian organisations are concerned about the imminent challenges faced by these returnees, many of whom are arriving in a country with limited resources and escalating humanitarian needs.
According to Babar Baloch, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency, nearly 600,000 Afghans have crossed the border into Afghanistan since June 1 alone. This spike follows allegations from Iranian authorities linking Afghans with espionage activities, particularly in the wake of conflicts in the region.
A notable surge in border crossings has been recorded, with daily numbers reaching as high as 50,000. Despite claims that only undocumented Afghans are targeted, reports from returnees suggest that individuals with valid visas have also been forced to leave. The situation has led to increased anxiety among Afghans still residing in Iran, as uncertainty about their status grows.
Arafat Jamal, the UN refugee representative in Kabul, stated that the current environment appears unforgiving for Afghans in Iran, describing it as a "frenzy" of deportations. Humanitarian organisations are concerned about the imminent challenges faced by these returnees, many of whom are arriving in a country with limited resources and escalating humanitarian needs.
