Background and Context on the Situation
Iran has reported that 1.2 million Afghan refugees have been deported over the past six months, with another 800,000 expected to be expelled in the coming months before March. This information was shared by Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, who stated that this would bring the total number of deported Afghans to approximately 2 million by the following year, out of an estimated 6 million Afghan nationals currently residing in Iran.
Iran’s Migratory Policy and Taliban’s Intervention
These deportations are part of Iran’s policy targeting foreign nationals without valid residence permits, according to Minister Momeni. He clarified that this is not driven by “xenophobia,” as reported by the IRNA news agency. In late July, Afghan Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Jan Muttaqi, urged his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, to ensure dignified treatment for the thousands of Afghans being expelled from Iran. Muttaqi highlighted the lack of coordination in many expulsions and warned of mistreatment faced by the deported population.
Discrepancies in Deportation Numbers
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that around 250,000 Afghans were deported in June alone. However, the Taliban’s commission has raised this figure to 600,000, accelerated by a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the total number of Afghan refugees deported from Iran? According to Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, approximately 1.2 million Afghan refugees have been deported over the past six months, with another 800,000 expected to be expelled in the coming months. This would bring the total number of deported Afghans to around 2 million by the following year.
- Why are Afghans being deported from Iran? These deportations are part of Iran’s policy targeting foreign nationals without valid residence permits. The Iranian government emphasizes that this policy is not motivated by xenophobia.
- What concerns have been raised by the Afghan Taliban regarding deportations? The Afghan Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Jan Muttaqi, has expressed concerns about the lack of coordination in many expulsions and warned of mistreatment faced by the deported population.
- How do the IOM’s and Taliban’s estimates of deportations differ? The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that approximately 250,000 Afghans were deported in June alone. However, the Taliban’s commission has raised this figure to 600,000, citing a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel as a contributing factor.
