Iran’s Interior Minister Urges Legal Entry for Afghan Workers
Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, emphasized the importance of legal entry for Afghan nationals seeking to work in the country, speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting. He stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no issue with the legal entry of foreign nationals, including Afghans.
Momeni noted that Afghan citizens, like nationals from other countries, can enter Iran through tourist, work, or other types of visas, and that legal movement continues. However, he stressed that the primary concern of Iran’s Interior Ministry is the unlawful presence of Afghan nationals in the country.
These remarks come as many Afghans have been forced to migrate to neighboring countries due to insecurity, oppression, and a lack of prospects under Taliban rule. Nevertheless, Iran’s strict immigration policies and discriminatory treatment of Afghan migrants have created serious challenges for their livelihood and education.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Momeni addressed the issue of some Afghan children being unable to enroll in Iranian schools due to a lack of official documents. He said an accurate census of these children is underway, and further decisions will be based on the findings. In recent years, thousands of Afghan children have been barred from attending school due to the absence of residency documents.
Human rights experts have urged the Iranian government to treat Afghan migrants, especially women and children, with dignity and ensure their access to education and basic services. The ongoing migration crisis and the pressure on refugees are widely seen as direct consequences of the Taliban’s repressive governance—an issue that experts say requires urgent international attention.
