The year 2025 has witnessed surge in the forced return of Afghan refugees from Iran. Over 1.3 million refugees have been repatriated since March 20, according to a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report published in July. Iran, hosting the world’s largest refugee population, is grappling with complex socio-political and economic challenges that have intensified the refugee crisis.
Background of Afghan Refugees in Iran
Afghanistan’s prolonged conflict, economic instability, and natural disasters have driven millions to seek refuge in Iran over the past four decades. The Soviet invasion, civil wars, US-led interventions, and Taliban insurgency caused waves of displacement. The return of the Taliban to power in August 2021 further escalated the outflow. Currently, about four to six million Afghans live in Iran, mainly in low-income urban areas and border provinces.
Legal Status and Documentation of Refugees
Afghan refugees in Iran fall into three categories. First, Amayesh cardholders entered before 2003 and have limited access to education and healthcare. Second, some hold valid passports and Iranian visas. Third, many are undocumented or hold expired headcount slips. The Iranian government set a July 6 deadline in 2025 for undocumented refugees to regularise their status or face deportation. The majority live precariously and work in informal sectors under exploitative conditions.
Reasons Behind the Recent Deportations
Iran’s economic crisis, worsened by international sanctions and governance issues, is central to the deportation drive. Authorities blame Afghan refugees for job competition and strain on subsidised services like fuel, food, healthcare, and education. The conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025 heightened security concerns. Iranian officials accused Afghan refugees of being recruited by Israel and the US, alleging threats to national security. These claims intensified refugee arrests and deportations.
Impact of Security Incidents and Political Tensions
The January 2024 suicide bombings in Kerman, linked to ISIS-K militants mainly operating in Afghanistan, led to mass raids and detentions of Afghan nationals. This incident fuelled nationalist sentiments and hardline policies advocating refugee repatriation. Strained Iran-Taliban relations over water rights and treatment of Shia Hazaras have also influenced Iran’s approach, using refugee returns as leverage against Kabul’s government.
Human Rights and Documentation Concerns
Despite official claims of deporting only undocumented refugees, reports indicate legal residents are also being expelled. Some deportees reported destruction of their documents by Iranian officials. The deportations expose refugees to heightened risks amid Afghanistan’s ongoing instability. The situation underlines the fragile status of refugees in Iran and the humanitarian challenges involved.
Geographical Distribution of Afghan Refugees
Afghan refugees come mainly from Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Nangarhar, and Hazara regions. They reside in Iranian provinces such as Razavi Khorasan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khorasan, Tehran, and Yazd. These communities predominantly live in low-income neighbourhoods and contribute to informal economies through manual labour, agriculture, domestic work, and construction.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the impact of prolonged conflict and political instability on refugee flows with reference to Afghan refugees in Iran.
- Analyse the role of international sanctions on Iran’s economy and its effect on social policies towards refugees and migrants.
- Examine the challenges faced by undocumented migrants in accessing basic services and legal protection in host countries, using Afghanistan and Iran as case studies.
- Point out the geopolitical implications of refugee repatriation policies on bilateral relations, focusing on Iran-Taliban dynamics and regional security concerns.
