Over the past two weeks, Iran has deported more than 300,000 Afghan migrants through the Islam Qala border in Herat, Afghanistan, as part of a large-scale expulsion campaign. Local officials in Herat report that the deportations, which include both voluntary returnees and forcibly removed individuals, have intensified following heightened tensions in the region, particularly after Israel’s recent attacks on Iran. Many deportees have reported harsh treatment, including increased violence and accusations of disloyalty, with some claiming they faced torture in detention camps before being expelled.
The Afghan caretaker government has urged Iran to halt the mistreatment of its citizens and ensure humane deportation processes. Social media posts on X indicate that Iran plans to quadruple its deportation efforts, citing security concerns and alleging that some Afghan migrants collaborated with foreign entities to destabilize the country. These claims remain unverified but have fueled the rapid pace of expulsions, with estimates suggesting up to 120,000 Afghans were deported in just two days in late June 2025.
The United Nations has noted a smaller number of Iranians, including dual Afghan-Iranian nationals, seeking refuge in Afghanistan amid the conflict, with around 30 families registered as asylum seekers. The mass deportations have strained Afghanistan’s resources, particularly in border regions like Herat, where local authorities are struggling to accommodate the influx. The situation underscores the broader challenges of migration and regional instability, with Afghan deportees facing significant hardships, including high transportation costs and limited access to basic services upon return.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 7th, 2025
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