Afghanistan Peace CampaignEskandar Momeni, Iran’s Minister of Interior, told reporters that his country can no longer accept Afghan citizens and that the deportation of illegal migrants is one of Iran’s top priorities.
The minister also said that the Iranian law enforcement forces are at the forefront of this issue, and in line with the demands of the people and the government, this matter has been placed on their agenda. He further clarified that all necessary plans for the implementation of this decision have been prepared.
The Interior Minister said: “They are our brothers. We share many commonalities; however, our country can no longer accommodate them. All of the country’s resources and subsidies are being spent on this, and therefore, our top priority, with a proper plan, is to deport those who have entered the country illegally.”
At the same time, some Afghan refugees in Iran have criticized what they describe as increasing restrictions imposed by the Iranian government on Afghan citizens. These refugees claim that their residency documents have been declared invalid by the Iranian government, and their bank cards and SIM cards have been deactivated.
Mehdi Alizadeh, an Afghan refugee in Iran, told TOLOnews: “There has been violence; they have been insulted and humiliated. They have insulted their nation and land, and even those migrants who have legal documents have been deported.”
Akbar Soltani, another Afghan refugee in Iran, said: “Since 2021, census forms or residency permits for migrants have been declared invalid, and there have also been issues with SIM cards and bank cards for migrants.”
In recent months, restrictions on Afghan migrants in Iran have increased, with Iranian officials, including the Chief Commander of Law Enforcement Forces, repeatedly emphasizing the deportation of Afghan migrants from the country.