Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Iran and Afghanistan have agreed to enhance cooperation on migration issues as Tehran continues to deport thousands of Afghan refugees daily, forcing many back to a homeland where they face dire economic conditions and political uncertainty under Taliban rule.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently visited Kabul for the first time since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. His one-day diplomatic mission focused on border tensions, the status of Afghan refugees in Iran, and water rights to the Helmand River, which flows from Afghanistan into Iran. Despite not officially recognizing the Taliban government, Iran maintains diplomatic ties, with embassies operational in both capitals.
As migration from Afghanistan to Iran surges, Tehran has sought increased collaboration with Kabul. Iranian authorities are currently expelling up to 3,000 Afghan refugees daily. Many of these deportees, lacking legal documentation, report being subjected to random arrests, mistreatment, and forced repatriation.
“I fled to Iran to save my children’s future,” said Marzia Rahimi, an Afghan journalist who escaped with her family two years ago. “But they can’t go to school here either. Applying for asylum is nearly impossible.”
The exact number of Afghan refugees in Iran remains unclear, but the UNHCR estimates that about 3 million Afghans reside there, with only a fraction officially registered. Iranian Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated in December that over 6 million Afghans are in the country, putting immense strain on Iran’s resources. He estimated the annual cost of hosting refugees at over $10 billion, blaming inadequate international assistance for the burden.
Iran’s economic crisis, exacerbated by international sanctions, corruption, and mismanagement, has fueled negative sentiment against Afghan refugees. Reports of crime, pressure on the healthcare system, and food shortages are often blamed on them, worsening their already precarious situation. Many Afghans live without legal status, working in low-paying jobs with no rights or protections.
Abdul Rahman Rashid, Afghanistan’s Minister for Refugees and Repatriation, emphasized the need for Afghan refugees to receive access to education and legal employment in Iran. However, aid organizations warn that Afghanistan is unprepared to accommodate the massive number of returning refugees. Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, stated that returnees face extreme economic hardship and an uncertain future.
As deportations continue and diplomatic efforts unfold, the fate of Afghan refugees in Iran remains uncertain, with many fearing an unlivable future both in exile and at home.
