The United Nations has reported that over 1.3 million Afghan refugees have been forced to leave Iran in 2025. This mass deportation has raised concerns as many of these individuals face extreme hardship upon returning to Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime continues to exert its influence.
Refugees who have been living in Iran for years have now been given an ultimatum, with the Iranian government citing legal and administrative challenges as the reason for the mass departure. The situation has sparked international outrage, with humanitarian organizations warning of the severe consequences this could have on the already vulnerable population.
Many of those being deported are families who have made Iran their home, with children and elderly members who have no choice but to return to a country where the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law has imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, education, and freedom of speech. The UN has called on countries to provide safe and legal pathways for refugees, rather than resorting to mass deportations.
Reports indicate that the Iranian government has been increasing its efforts to repatriate Afghan refugees in an attempt to reduce its own population and ease the economic pressure caused by the influx of refugees. However, the international community is concerned that the deportees may be exposed to further human rights abuses, as the Taliban’s rule has been marked by reports of violence, oppression, and a lack of basic services for the civilian population.