Citing rising security concerns and the threat of terrorism spilling over the border, Iran has significantly increased deportations of undocumented Afghan citizens, according to Iranian and Afghan officials.
This comes amidst a deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that over 1.3 million undocumented immigrants were deported last year alone. The Taliban's Ministry of Refugees confirmed the ongoing influx, reporting 3,437 Afghan returnees just yesterday.
The deportations primarily target Afghans who entered Iran through unofficial routes, particularly via the Silk Road in Nimroz province.
Tehran's move reflects growing anxieties about the potential for Afghanistan-based terrorist groups to operate in Iran. Past attacks on Iranian soil by Afghan militants and recent claims of responsibility by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) for Iranian attacks have heightened these concerns.
The Afghan government, however, maintains it is not harboring terrorists. The recent surge in returnees places a significant strain on Afghanistan's already struggling infrastructure, with many questioning the ability of the Taliban to effectively reintegrate these individuals.
Minister Vahidi has indicated stricter border controls to prevent future unauthorized entry. This development raises questions about the fate of millions of Afghans residing in Iran, many of whom have fled decades of war and instability in their homeland.
