Iran’s policy towards Afghan Refugees is unambiguous: mistreatment, disrespect, expulsion, and in some cases, even massacre. Iran, being the primary destination for Afghans with their numbers in the country exceeding several million, evokes less reaction to their relentless expulsion and even killings. Western governments and international organizations advocating for migration remain relatively silent against Iran. This is partly due to the Islamic Republic’s claim that, while facing a deluge of Afghan refugees, it is also under Western sanctions and cannot afford to host millions of Refugees with its weakened economy. True, Iran is grappling with the challenge of sanctions, but under the guise of hosting Refugees, it receives substantial aid from international organizations.
Just a few days ago, Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s Interior Minister, once again issued a warning that his country’s police are determined to expel Afghans lacking legal documentation, and this process will continue forcefully, as he claims. He stated to the media, “We have previously announced, and we now reiterate, that Afghan Refugees without legal documentation must return to their own country and contribute to its development.” The Iranian official speaks as if Afghanistan has a legitimate, all-inclusive government, responsive to the needs of its people. If that were the case, perhaps the trend of Afghan migration to Iran wouldn’t shift from ordinary to “flood-like.” While Iran emphasizes the expulsion of Afghans, some of those expelled are hunted down by Taliban militants before they can reunite with their families. Despite this, the expulsion continues unabated, as if the Islamic Republic has colluded with the Taliban.
Although the influx of Afghan Refugees to Iran is described as a flood, this country is not their ultimate destination, as its currency has lost its value against the US dollar due to sanctions. Moreover, Iran treats Refugees less favorably than many other countries in the world. Most Afghans choose Iran as a transit point to travel to a third country, primarily Türkiye. While Türkiye is a desirable destination for Afghans, it is also challenging to reach. Additionally, Europe is a good destination for Afghans, but crossing Turkish borders may present its own difficulties. When Afghans fail to reach these two destinations, they remain in Iran out of necessity.
Even Afghan Refugees holding legal documents do not have a good time in Iran and face significant restrictions. For example, in the past, a migrant with a residence permit could benefit from banking services more effectively, but now it’s impossible. Recently, a directive issued by the Iranian government stipulated that Afghan residents are only allowed to open accounts in one bank, not multiple banks, which was not a restriction in the past. Previously, some banks extended credit to Afghan residents with a five-year validity period for account opening, but not anymore, as the validity period of the residence permit, mostly one year, determines eligibility. Of course, residence permits can be renewed. If Afghan migration to Iran continues unabated without a solution in sight, Afghan residents with permits may also be deprived of banking services, making life even more difficult, as buying, selling, and transactions are conducted through banks rather than physical cash.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has taken the threat of Afghan migration to Iran seriously following the deadly attacks in the city of Kerman. It was precisely after this incident that the issue of “border closures” was raised by the Iranian government. A few days ago, Qiumars Heidari, the commander of the Iranian army’s ground forces, who had gone to the joint border with Afghanistan, stated that his country is determined to close its borders, especially the north-eastern borders stretching 74 kilometres, and practical steps will be taken in this regard. After Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, called for an agreement on this matter, the Iranian military responded, “Only Iran decides on its borders and does not need permission from anyone.”
Other distressing news reported in the media is the mining of roads by the Iranian government along the border lines with Pakistan and Afghanistan. Iran has mined certain areas of the shared border regions with these two countries to allegedly prevent Afghan refugees from entering. According to media reports, Afghan refugee-carrying vehicles have collided with explosive mines twice so far, resulting in the death and injury of some Afghan citizens.
The closure of borders and the mining of roads by Iran demonstrate the seriousness of this country regarding the non-acceptance and expulsion of Afghans. All of this is happening while the Taliban has not shown a serious reaction. However, addressing this chronic problem is the responsibility of responsible, comprehensive, and people-centric governments, not the Taliban, who are themselves accused of massacring innocents. Perhaps the Taliban approves of Iran’s policy in this regard because seemingly they do not welcome the migration of citizens, as refugees seeking asylum in other countries are interpreted as the public’s disdain for this group. Former government officials mainly sought refuge in Iran, who upon expulsion by the police of this country, became prey to the Taliban.
The Islamic Republic not only resorts to expelling Afghan Refugees but also resorts to massacring them in some cases. Afghan refugees are not only blocked at the borders by Iranian border guards but are also being killed on the streets of Iranian cities these days. For example, Elias Mohammadi, an Afghan migrant, was murdered on Friday night, 9th February, on “Niyayesh Boulevard” in Tehran by a “Basiji” or “Hezbollah” member. However, it was revealed two weeks later that the victim was an Afghan migrant. He had been working with the Tehran municipality as a “cleaner.” This Afghan migrant, while attempting to clean the Islamic Republic flag on a bridge, was thrown onto the street by a Hezbollah member and died instantly. The Basigi member claims that the victim intended to insult the flag, an allegation that not only does not justify the murderer’s actions but is also appreciated by the Iranian government. Iranian security institutions and state-affiliated media tried to keep this case hidden, but the Iranian Human Rights Center recently exposed this crime. The institution wrote on its social media platform on Friday, 22nd February, that Elias Mohammadi, a 19-year-old Afghan migrant, was killed by a “Basigi” member on Friday night, 9th of February, in Niyayesh Boulevard, Tehran.
The political representations of Afghanistan in Iran, currently being run by the Taliban, evidently do not have the interests of Afghan refugees at heart. With the surrender of the embassy to the disorganized Taliban, corruption, chaos, and mismanagement have peaked. Even Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reflected one of its reporters’ views on how the Taliban provides services to Refugees: “Before the fall of Afghanistan, the embassy was not this crowded, but these days the main street of the embassy and the surrounding alleys have turned into one of the ugliest urban landscapes and the busiest spots in Tehran.” Chaos and mismanagement escalated further when the embassy under Taliban control announced that it would distribute passports to Afghan Refugees. The high level of demand for passports alongside the mismanagement of Taliban representatives has led Tasnim News Agency to brand the current situation at the Afghan embassy as the “ugliest urban landscape.”