Iran is deporting approximately 3,000 Afghan migrants daily across the Islam Qala border, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) revealed on Monday.
Jan Egeland, NRC’s secretary general, described the situation after visiting the border town, noting that most of those crossing are deportees. “These individuals are returning to Afghanistan amidst a harsh winter and a humanitarian crisis impacting 22.9 million people already in dire need of aid,” Egeland stated.
Iranian authorities aim to deport two million undocumented foreigners by March 2025, a decision announced in 2024. This policy has sparked political debate, particularly concerning the large influx of Afghan refugees who fled after the Taliban’s return to power three years ago.
Egeland highlighted the burden on host nations, pointing out that Pakistan has already expelled 800,000 Afghans. “Iran and Pakistan, despite hosting millions of refugees for decades, have received minimal international support,” he said.
The UN Refugee Agency estimates that nearly 4.5 million Afghans reside in Iran, many without legal documentation. However, Iranian media reports suggest the numbers could be as high as six to eight million.
Many Afghans continue to cross into Iran illegally, driven by ongoing conflict, extreme poverty, and unemployment. The 900-kilometer shared border complicates security efforts, prompting Iran to construct a fortified wall along its northeastern frontier.
This mass deportation occurs against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian crisis, leaving deportees vulnerable to freezing temperatures and limited aid upon their return.
