Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Rampant racism and violence against Afghan refugees in Iran continue unchecked, causing fear and suffering among vulnerable refugee communities.
A disturbing video recently circulated on social media shows two young Iranian men in a car chasing an Afghan teenager in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas. The car appears to be deliberately attempting to run over the boy, who is riding a bicycle.
The chilling scene, reportedly recorded on Seyed Jamaluddin Asadabadi Street in Bandar Abbas, ends with the Afghan boy managing to escape by riding onto the sidewalk to save himself from potential harm.
The video has triggered a wave of outrage on social media, reigniting public discussion on racism and violence against Afghan migrants in Iran. Many users condemned the act as yet another sign of the rising xenophobic atmosphere in the country.
Activists and social media users have condemned these acts as examples of institutional racism and systemic abuse. They are calling for an end to forced deportations, better protection of migrant rights, and accountability for those involved in acts of violence.
The anti-Afghan sentiment has also been intensified through media outlets and online campaigns. Nationalist slogans like “Deport Afghans, a national demand” and the spread of false narratives linking Afghan migrants to crimes have further fueled hostility and division.
Meanwhile, Afghan refugees—many of whom fled war and insecurity in their homeland—continue to live in Iran without basic legal protections or refugee recognition. They face systemic discrimination, limited access to services, and increasing social marginalization.
Experts argue that the absence of official condemnation from the Islamic Republic of Iran or the Taliban embassy in Tehran enables such violence to persist. They stress that fighting racism requires not only legal measures but also public awareness campaigns and the dismantling of hate-driven narratives to prevent further cycles of violence and discrimination.