Recent tensions between Iran and Israel have sparked concerns among Afghan journalists in Iran. Those who relocated to Iran due to security concerns following the fall of the previous government report that most European countries have closed their embassies there. They believe that, given the current situation in Iran, European countries, especially France, may experience delays in processing their immigration cases. They caution that if tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, the lives of Afghan migrants in Iran will be endangered. These journalists are urging European countries to expedite the processing of their immigration cases.
Iran’s recent attack on Israel has caused concern among journalists in exile, in addition to Afghan migrants in Iran, who have primarily sought refuge in that country due to unemployment and security threats.
Meraaj Majjari, one of the Afghan journalists in Iran, has worked in various Afghan media for over seven years and has been in Iran for nearly a year as a refugee.
Majjari expresses that recent tensions between Israel and Iran have deeply troubled Afghan migrants, especially journalists in exile. He adds, “Afghan journalists went to Iran and Pakistan after the developments to move to a safer country, but unfortunately, they also face many concerns in these countries and now tensions between Iran and Israel have added to their worries.”
The reporter emphasizes, “Many migrant-receiving countries have relocated their diplomats from Iran, and the work process at embassies has slowed down in a way that is truly concerning for us with immigration cases.”
Hedayatullah Shirzad, another of these journalists, states that Afghan journalists have been affected by war in recent decades and are now facing serious challenges in neighboring countries as well.
Mr. Shirzad declares, “Recent tensions between Israel and Iran have unfortunately once again affected Afghan journalists, and the fear of their forced expulsion from Iran has increased more than ever before.” Shirzad is concerned that if tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, the lives of Afghan migrants in Iran will be seriously endangered.
The reporter stresses that given the current situation in Iran, it is likely that the processing of journalists’ immigration cases by European countries, especially France, will face delays. He urges European countries to expedite the processing of their immigration cases. Mina (pseudonym) is one of the Afghan female journalists in Iran. She, too, who went to Iran due to security issues and Taliban restrictions on women, says that European countries should not forget journalists in exile. According to her, some Afghan journalists in Iran have been in limbo for nearly three years, and the organizations that had committed to relocating them to other countries have not taken any action yet.
Ms. Mina emphasizes, “Organizations and supporting countries have forgotten about us. They shouldn’t abandon us. Are embassy diplomats’ lives valued more than ours, that they evacuate them from Iran but leave us behind?”
These journalists are calling for their evacuation from Iran as soon as possible, urging action from countries and supporting organizations.
According to unconfirmed statistics, at least 80 Afghan journalists with their families are currently living in Iran. This number sought refuge in Iran after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and due to the security threats faced by journalists and media personnel from this group.
Displacement, uncertain future, visa non-renewal, economic hardships, and the risk of deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan have put some of these journalists under severe psychological pressure.
On Saturday night, April 13th, Iran launched extensive retaliatory drone and missile attacks against Israel. The Israeli military claimed to have tracked “99 percent” of Iran’s 300 drones and missiles with the cooperation of a military coalition.
In contrast, on Friday, April 19th, media reported several explosions in the city of Isfahan, Iran. CNN quoted a US official as saying that these explosions were caused by an Israeli attack.
These explosions occurred near the Shekari military base in northwestern Isfahan, where Iranian army fighter jets are stationed.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
تنشهای تهران و تلآویو؛ جان خبرنگاران افغان در ایران در خطر است