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Iran plans repatriation of two million undocumented Afghan migrants
So far, 1.2 million Afghan nationals have exited the country, and the gradual return of two million unauthorized migrants is on the agenda, Iran’s Interior Minister said.
Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced that Tehran has begun implementing a plan to repatriate two million undocumented Afghan migrants, with more than 1.2 million already having left the country through Khorasan Razavi province’s border.
Speaking during a visit to the holy city of Mashhad on Sunday, Momeni said that the highest number of migrant exits has been recorded at Khorasan Razavi’s crossing points.
“So far, 1.2 million Afghan nationals have exited the country, and the gradual return of two million unauthorized migrants is on the agenda,” he stated.
The minister said a high-level meeting would be held in Mashhad with national and provincial authorities to review border management policies and address the presence of foreign nationals.
He emphasized that one of the Interior Ministry’s top priorities is to strengthen border controls and regulate the status of undocumented migrants.
“Currently, more than six million Afghan nationals are living in Iran. Managing such a large population requires serious national and international cooperation,” Momeni added.
The announcement has sparked concern among humanitarian agencies and rights organizations, who warn that large-scale deportations could deepen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations has repeatedly called on Iran to ensure that returns are voluntary, safe, and dignified.
A spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said: “Afghanistan is facing severe economic challenges, natural disasters, and ongoing instability. Forced returns on this scale risk exacerbating vulnerabilities and placing enormous strain on communities already struggling to cope.”
Afghan officials, meanwhile, have urged neighboring countries to coordinate closely to avoid sudden pressures on border provinces. Kabul has repeatedly asked for international support to reintegrate returning migrants, noting that resources remain limited.
Iran has hosted millions of Afghans for decades, many of whom fled conflict, instability, and economic hardship in their homeland. However, authorities have increasingly moved to regulate or repatriate those without legal residency documents, citing security, economic, and social pressures.
Observers say the scale and speed of the current repatriation drive could have far-reaching humanitarian and political implications, both for Afghanistan and the wider region.
Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghan Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad to convey “strong demarche” over a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan District that killed four Pakistani soldiers.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack was carried out by a faction of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The statement said that Pakistan conveyed “grave concern over the continued support and facilitation” provided by the Islamic Emirate to TTP.
Pakistan has demanded “a full investigation and decisive action against the perpetrators and facilitators of the terrorist attacks launched against Pakistan from Afghan soil.”
It urged the Islamic Emirate “to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terror groups operating from its territory, including their leadership, and deny the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.
According to the statement, the Islamic Emirate has been “categorically informed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens, and will take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil.”
Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are originated from Afghan soil, a charge the Islamic Emirate denies.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has underscored Afghanistan’s continued importance in regional cooperation, saying the country remains one of the key areas of interaction among regional partners.
Addressing the first summit of the “Central Asia Plus Japan” dialogue, Mirziyoyev said participating countries share a common aspiration to see Afghanistan become peaceful, stable, and oriented toward meaningful development.
The Uzbek president praised Japan’s longstanding and consistent support for Afghanistan, noting that Tokyo has for many years been among the leading donors and partners assisting the Afghan people.
He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts and joint contributions by regional countries and Japan would help improve living standards in Afghanistan, advance socio-economic and infrastructure development, and facilitate the country’s active involvement in regional economic projects.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan announced on Friday that the country has allocated $19.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said it hopes the aid will help bring positive change to the lives of vulnerable Afghans.
According to the statement, the assistance will cover the basic humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
The embassy added that the aid will be delivered through United Nations agencies, international organizations, and Japanese non-governmental organizations operating in Afghanistan.
Japan’s total assistance to Afghanistan since August 2021 has reached more than $549 million.
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