Afghanistan Times
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AT Kabul: Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday dismissed claims that it has tightened visa restrictions for Afghan citizens, insisting that its visa policy is being regulated, not restricted. However, the announcement comes amid growing reports of Afghan migrants facing mass detentions and forced deportations from Iran, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
At his weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei pushed back against allegations of stricter visa measures, stating that the objective is to streamline the issuance process rather than impose new limitations.
“The dignity of the Afghan people and respect for them have always been fundamental principles for us in granting visas,” Baghaei said. He further urged applicants to avoid unauthorized intermediaries and apply through official embassy channels to prevent fraud and exploitation.
Despite these assurances, Afghan migrants in Iran tell a starkly different story. Over the past several months, reports have surfaced of mass roundups of undocumented Afghans, with thousands being detained and forcibly deported across the border. Many recount harrowing experiences of mistreatment in detention centers before being expelled from the country.
“We were taken from our homes without warning, crammed into overcrowded cells, and then pushed across the border with nothing but the clothes on our backs,” said 27-year-old Ahmad Wali, who was deported to Afghanistan’s Nimroz province last week. “We were treated like criminals for simply trying to survive.”
Iran has long been home to millions of Afghan migrants and refugees, particularly in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. But as economic pressures mount and regional security concerns grow, Iranian authorities have intensified their crackdown on undocumented Afghans, citing security risks and economic burdens. Human rights organizations warn that these deportations are leaving thousands of vulnerable individuals—including women and children—stranded in border provinces with little access to basic necessities.
“There is no transparency in Iran’s deportation process,” said a representative from a refugee aid group, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Many Afghans are taken without notice, given no chance to appeal, and are often sent back to conditions of extreme poverty or even danger.”
The UN and international rights groups have called on Iran to halt its mass deportations and ensure the humane treatment of Afghan migrants. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has remained largely silent on the issue, struggling to provide basic services to those who have been forced to return.
For many Afghans, the future remains uncertain. As Iran insists its visa policies remain unchanged, the reality on the ground tells a different story—one of tightened borders, forced removals, and a growing humanitarian crisis at Afghanistan’s doorstep.
