(Iran) Iran has taken strict measures against foreign citizens who have entered the country against the backdrop of the ongoing war against Israel, primarily including Afghan citizens. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), between June 24 and July 9, 2025, a total of 508,426 Afghan citizens were sent back to their homeland from Iran.
After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, millions of citizens sought refuge in neighboring countries. Many Afghan citizens who settled in Iran started working in local labor sectors for very low wages. However, in March 2025, the Iranian government gave Afghan refugees a deadline until July 6 to leave the country. Subsequently, the government launched a campaign across the country to begin the process of deporting the refugees.
The main reasons behind this campaign include security threats, allegations of espionage for Israel, illegal residency, rising inflation, and domestic instability. The Iranian government claims that many Afghan citizens were living without valid documents, and evidence has been found of some having connections with Israel.
Iran's official media showed confessions of some Afghan citizens, in which they admitted to being in contact with foreign intelligence agencies. This led to suspicion towards Afghan refugees in the country, and they were accused of espionage. This deportation process includes orphaned children, women, and elderly citizens, many of whom are deprived of food, water, and safety. According to United Nations information, over 400 orphaned children were expelled from Iran just last week. Some refugees told the media that they were beaten by police, their money was snatched, and they were forcibly taken to the border without any facilities.
Large queues of people returning to Afghanistan from the borders of Iran can be seen, with only the clothes on their backs. Due to the heat and lack of food and water, some have lost their lives, as noted by the Red Crescent.