Mass expulsions of Afghans in Iran leave them with an unpredictable homecoming ahead
In a shocking turn of events, thousands of Afghans are returning to their homeland every day, fleeing from Iran due to a series of expulsions by the Iranian government. According to the United Nations (UN), over 23.7 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, with half of the population needing aid last year [1].
The reasons behind the Iranian government's crackdown on Afghans living in the country are multifaceted. Growing domestic intolerance, national security concerns, and economic pressures have all contributed to the expulsions [1]. The situation escalated following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, which heightened Iranian suspicions and accusations of espionage against Afghan migrants [1]. Many Afghans have been accused of spying, with these allegations used to justify mass deportations under the pretext of national security [1].
Iran's campaign against Afghans has targeted their housing, employment, and banking, causing a significant strain on the migrants [1]. Immigration raids in public spaces have left Afghans living in Iran terrified [1]. As a result, more than 1.3 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Iran this year [2]. If the current rate of returnees continues, the UN estimates that it will reach 3 million Afghans by the end of the year [2].
The return of these refugees has created a massive strain on Afghanistan, a country already struggling to cope with the humanitarian crisis [2]. Many returning refugees are left questioning how they will feed their families and establish themselves in Afghanistan [3]. The high unemployment rate and banking restrictions in Afghanistan have further pushed people into poverty and hurt the economy, including the loss of remittances from expatriate workers [4].
The situation is particularly dire for Afghan women. Those who have returned after receiving education in other countries are in a state of shock due to the Taliban's ban on schooling for women [4]. Many Afghan women returning to Afghanistan face a new and restrictive government that doesn't allow them to work, study, or go outside unaccompanied [4].
It's not just Iran expelling Afghans; Afghans are also coming back from Pakistan and Tajikistan [4]. Barakzai, an Afghan woman staying in Iran, is trying to avoid deportation by limiting her time outside her apartment [4]. Jamshidi, a woman who was forced to leave Afghanistan four years ago due to Taliban rule, had to flee Iran again due to the war between Israel and Iran [4].
The U.S. has also played a role in the crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated all but two State Department and USAID programs in Afghanistan, resulting in the shuttering of 22 programs worth nearly $1.03 billion [5].
This mass exodus of Afghans from Iran has raised serious humanitarian concerns. The UNHCR representative in Kabul, Arafat Jamal, has noted a significant increase in the number of returns from Iran [2]. The UNHCR estimates that if the rate of returnees continues, it will reach 3 million Afghans by the end of the year [2]. The organisation is working tirelessly to provide aid and support to the returning refugees.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, July 1). Iran cracks down on Afghan migrants. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57779345 [2] UNHCR. (2025, July 15). Afghanistan: Returnees from Iran face humanitarian concerns. https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2025/7/62e8a74f4/afghanistan-returnees-iran-face-humanitarian-concerns.html [3] Reuters. (2025, July 20). Millions of Afghans face poverty as Iran expels migrants. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/millions-afghans-face-poverty-iran-expels-migrants-2025-07-20/ [4] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 1). Afghan women face a new Taliban rule. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/afghan-women-face-a-new-taliban-rule [5] The New York Times. (2025, June 30). U.S. ends most aid to Afghanistan. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/world/middleeast/us-aid-afghanistan.html
- The expulsion of Afghans from Iran has led to a surge in the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, with over 3 million refugees expected to return by the end of the year.
- The Iranian government's crackdown on Afghan migrants has also affected their assets, causing difficulties in housing, employment, and banking, leading to a significant strain on the migrants.
- The return of these refugees to Afghanistan has sparked concerns about their future, as many question how they will support their families and establish themselves in the country, facing high unemployment rates and banking restrictions.
- The situation for Afghan women returning to Afghanistan is particularly challenging, with the Taliban's ban on schooling for women creating a state of shock and a restrictive environment that doesn't allow them to work, study, or go outside unaccompanied.
- The political environment in the region has played a significant role in the crisis, with the U.S. ending most of its aid to Afghanistan, leaving the country struggling to cope with the increased number of returnees and humanitarian concerns.
