Iran Imposes New Restrictions on Afghan Pilgrims Visiting Mashhad
Alireza Bikdeli, acting head of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s embassy in Afghanistan, announced that Tehran plans to implement a pilot scheme aimed at better managing the pilgrimage process for foreign visitors, especially Afghans. According to Bikdeli, the initiative would limit the stay of pilgrims in the city of Mashhad to just 14 days, and they will not be allowed to leave Razavi Khorasan province.
Speaking at a regional diplomacy meeting in Mashhad, Bikdeli emphasized that “pilgrimage to Imam Reza is the right of every individual.” However, citing what he described as “misuse of pilgrimage visas by some individuals,” he stated that pilgrimage routes have been blocked for certain travelers.
He added that Iran’s previous foreign ministry policies were aimed at easing visa issuance in order to prevent illegal immigration. Nevertheless, he pointed to a significant issue: a lack of centralized management and oversight in the visa issuance process.
The remarks come as thousands of Afghan nationals travel annually to Iran—particularly to Imam Reza’s shrine in Mashhad—for religious pilgrimage. The newly announced restrictions and control measures are likely to increase pressure on Afghan migrants.
Bikdeli also highlighted the potential of medical tourism in Iran’s border provinces and suggested that migrants could access healthcare services through this channel. He stressed the need for greater support for Khorasan’s handicraft industries and called for improvements in the quality of local shops. He further expressed Iran’s readiness to cooperate with various institutions to leverage its religious and tourism capacities more effectively.
This Iranian decision could present new obstacles for Afghan pilgrims. The strong presence of Afghans at Iran’s religious sites—especially in Mashhad—has long been a significant cultural link between the two countries, which now faces new challenges.
