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President urges ‘dignified’ return of Afghan migrants amid repatriation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday urged authorities to ensure the ongoing return of undocumented Afghan migrants is carried out with “respect and calm,” amid rising scrutiny over Tehran’s migration policies.
Speaking in a meeting with officials from the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, Pezeshkian acknowledged flaws in managing the mass return operation but pushed back against accusations of mistreatment, accusing critics of “hypocrisy” in selectively invoking human rights, president.ir reported.
“It’s surprising when those who stayed silent on the bombing and starvation of innocent women and children now suddenly discover human rights over migrant regulation,” he said.
Iran, home to one of the largest Afghan diasporas, has ramped up efforts to expel undocumented Afghans, citing economic pressures and the need for tighter border control.
Pezeshkian said the deportations ultimately serve Afghans' interests by providing a structured path forward. “Our Afghan brothers and sisters deserve a regulated, dignified presence,” he said.
Mohammad Ismail Salim, head of the Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Herat, described Iran’s handling of the repatriation as “respectful” and “appreciated,” during a joint visit to a processing camp in Taybad on Saturday alongside Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Governor of Herat province.
“We won’t forget the generosity of the Iranian people over the past four decades,” Salim told reporters.
The Herat delegation arrived at the Dogharoon border crossing for a three-day visit, touring migrant camps and regional facilities including hospitals and tech parks in Mashhad. Several cooperation agreements are expected to be signed during the trip, signaling coordination between Tehran and Kabul on the contentious migration file.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said Iran has worked closely with Afghanistan’s government to ensure coordination and humane treatment. “Seventy percent of those who left this year did so voluntarily,” he said in recent remarks to domestic media. “This is not about hostility. We are not anti-migrant, but a country can only absorb so much.”
Iran hosts around six million Afghans, including refugees, documented migrants, and an estimated two million undocumented residents. Since March 21, 2025 nearly 800,000 unauthorized migrants have been repatriated.
“We have clear laws. Those who enter illegally must leave,” Momeni said, reiterating that legal migrants will not be affected. “We’re not racist. We’re not chasing people out. We’re applying order—with dignity.”