Iran Says Over 1.5 Million Afghan Migrants Returned This Year, Amid Forced Deportation Criticism
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has announced that more than 1.5 million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan during the current solar year. The statement comes amid reports by international organizations that characterize the majority of these returns as forced.
Momeni claimed that around 70% of the returns were “voluntary” and asserted that the impact of this migration is visible in various areas including Iran’s economy, society, and security. He described the repatriation process as a “major accomplishment.”
Speaking on Wednesday at the meeting of the “Policy-Making and Coordination Council for Foreign Nationals,” Momeni emphasized that Iran’s capacity to host more migrants is limited. He acknowledged the historical ties between the two nations but said the country’s ability to support further arrivals is strained.
He also discussed a new plan aimed at issuing work visas for a select group of foreign migrants who are employed in specific professions as defined by Iran’s Ministry of Labor. According to Momeni, if these individuals work in designated sectors without disrupting local production or competing with Iranian workers, work visas will be systematically issued. This approach is intended to regulate the number of foreign laborers and ensure employers have access to the workforce they require.
Nevertheless, Momeni affirmed that the policy of repatriating Afghan migrants from Iran will continue decisively, though he noted that the process would undergo necessary reviews and evaluations. He claimed that, based on surveys, a majority of Iranians support the repatriation plan.
However, official reports indicate that Iranian authorities are deporting up to 300 Afghan migrants daily—many of whom are women, children, or the elderly—through border crossings. In recent months, this number has at times surged into the thousands per day.
These forced deportations have drawn sharp criticism from international agencies and human rights organizations. Despite the backlash, Iranian officials remain steadfast in maintaining their current approach.
The forced return of Afghan migrants comes at a time when Afghanistan, particularly since the Taliban takeover, is facing severe political, economic, and security crises. Many international bodies have condemned Iran’s actions as inhumane and a breach of its international obligations towards refugees.
