Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Iranian government-affiliated media outlets have recently started a campaign to demonize Afghan migrants in Iran and Tehran is also seeking urgent measures against illegal immigration. This takes place amid Iran’s increasing internal woes including anti-government upheavals and economic hardships and the issue of Afghan migrants is a card they play to divert the public attention from the main issues.
The recent influx of Afghan migrants into Iran has triggered diverse reactions among Iranians, both at home and abroad. While some express support, others exhibit hostility. Within this context, it appears that the Iranian authorities are capitalizing on the plight of these Afghan migrants, who have been hard-hit by crises.
Afghanistan has witnessed decades of instability and conflict, leading many of its citizens to seek refuge in neighboring countries, including Iran. Afghan immigrants have become an integral part of Iranian society, known for their hard work and adaptability to local customs and norms. They often find employment in challenging sectors like construction, where wages and benefits are minimal.
Despite occasional regulatory violations by Afghan citizens in Iran, the overall coexistence between Iranians and Afghan immigrants has been peaceful and positive. However, recent developments suggest that the Iranian government is exploiting the issue of Afghan migrants for its own interests.
State-affiliated media outlets, including the Fars news agency linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have launched an online campaign highlighting the perceived threats posed by Afghan migrants. They claim that tens of thousands of Afghan migrants enter Iran daily, equating to millions annually. These statistics are subject to scrutiny, especially given the potential agenda of certain factions within the ruling establishment.
The issue has sparked responses from various media outlets, with some, like the state-run Shargh newspaper, disputing the reported numbers of Afghan migrants entering Iran.
Many analysts of Iranian affairs believe that the regime’s current focus on Afghan migrants is an attempt to divert attention from its internal challenges, including a decline in its military and paramilitary forces due to recent uprisings and protests.
Regrettably, the regime appears to be exploiting the vulnerable Afghan community in Iran, attempting to recruit young Afghans for its own purposes, including involvement in quasi-military groups like the Fatemiyoun, previously used in proxy wars in Syria and Iraq. These groups could also be used to suppress protests within Iran and as tools in disputes against the Taliban.
Moreover, the regime uses the presence of Afghan migrants as a means of influencing Western countries and the United Nations, threatening to expel thousands of migrants to European and Western nations. This highlights the complex humanitarian challenges at play.
Recent videos from Afghan migrant detention camps raise concerns about the regime’s treatment of these migrants.
Sensationalizing the issue of Afghan migrants, whether based on political or demographic realities, appears to be a smokescreen used by the clerical dictatorship to divert attention from internal upheavals. In the face of an existential crisis, the regime seeks distractions to maintain its grip on power, making the Afghan migrant issue a convenient diversion.
